Life is a fragile thing

Welcome back everyone!! Did you miss us??

Anyway, we are back with a new (read 3 months old) episode for your enjoyment!

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In the episode we talk about Bill Paxton's directorial debut Frailty, a misleading movie since Matthew McConaughey is plastered all over the box art! Find out what we have to say and see if you might be interested in crazy religious folk who kill people!!!

Pick up your own copy here:



Be sure to stay tuned for the next episode, since I'm back on the wagon and all, as we will be talking about Inception! Good times!!

Spike Lee's 25th Hour

Thank you for your patience as madness has ensued and editing took a little longer than usual. That being said...We have a new episode!!

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Granted that this was recorded the day after the 4th of July, explaining the random fireworks Nolan was setting off, we still talked about a movie! This time around it is Spike Lee's 25th Hour starring Dan's favorite fantasy, Edward Norton. Pretty interesting discussion about the various elements found in the film. What do we say? Listen and find out!

As always join us next time for Nolan's pick, Frailty. Until then...

Dynamite, Dynamite

Welcome back for another episode of The Everyman Critics!

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For this episode we bring on board a special guest, Nolan's neighbor Dustin! Healthy discussions are abound as we veer off topic more than usual!!

The main review this episode is about the overlooked, under appreciates comedic classic Black Dynamite! Released in theaters for about 2 weeks at the end of 2009 this masterpiece of blaxploitaion parody/homage in now available to own on home video! Trust us, you owe it to yourselves to watch this movie!

Sweeney Borat!?

After quite a delay we bring the latest Everyman Critics!

Download the Episode Here!

This time around we catch up some things we've been watching and doing. Dan gives his thoughts on the Vengeance Trilogy, which I reviewed here.

For our main review this time around we discuss the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp musical Sweeney Todd! Check it out and tell us what you think about our review and the movie itself in the forums or by sending us an email!



Stay tuned for our next episode which should be up on our "regular" scheduled date and time!

Lost on this wonderful Highway

Welcome back everyone. This week we present to you the second installment of The Everyman Critics Film School!

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WARNING!!! EXTREME SPOILERS!!!

This time around Dan and I talk about an oft overlooked contemporary classic by Mr. Bizarro himself David Lynch, 1996's Lost Highway. There are extreme spoilers contained within that pertain to the "mystery" in solving this movie. No spoilers about the movie itself but if you haven't seen the movie and want to unravel the true meaning yourself avoid this episode. If you have seen it and don't understand it or you want to see it and are worried you wouldn't get it definitely check this out!!

This is a YouTube video for the scene that we talk about. Absolutely fantastic clip!



Also, use the links below to pick up your own copy of Lost Highway and don't forget to check out the awesome soundtrack we rave about!

The Sweet Life?

Hello everybody and welcome to the first installment of The Everyman Critics Film School! In these segments we will discuss films that aren't necessarily palatable for the regular group discussion.

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In this segment Chris and Dan discuss Federico Fellini's masterpiece La Dolce Vita. A film that has been praised throughout the movie world, let's see how it measures up to our "everyman" sensibilities!

The "Silence" of God

Welcome back to another episode of the Everyman Critics.

Download the Episode Here!!"

Introduction 0:00 - 22:46
Since it had been quite a while since we last recorded, essentially the gap you experience between podcast posts, we start by getting back into the groove of things. This includes my failed attempt at keeping things brief with what we each watched on our own time and the return of Nolan's Nazi loving ways!

Winter Light 22:46 - 54:22
This episode focuses on one of Dan's favorite movies, a critically acclaimed cinematic classic, Ingmar Bergman's Winter Light. The movie sums up the entire purpose of why I wanted to start this podcast from the "everyman's" perspective. Some philosophical discussion ensues as we all learn a little bit more about each other through the experience of watching this film



Closing 54:22 - 58:12
Wrapping it up we decided that Garrett's pick for next time, since he wasn't here this time, will be Precious! We'll see how that turns out!

The Everyman Critics Forum

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"Why Do You Have This Many Fucking Rules?"

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They Call Him Dr. Love

Welcome back everyone. This week we present to you probably the most efficient episode ever!!

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Introduction 0:00 - 17:33
A very lean but action packed intro. Quite a bit of movies are talked about with wildly varying effects. Some aren't dark enough for Dan, some had good food for Garrett, and some had super fake CG that killed me!

Dr. Strangelove 17:33 - 36:29
Probably the oldest film we have reviewed so far that was the winner of a listener poll. You asked for it and you got it!! Word of advice: remember it is all about precious bodily fluids!! Life is better now, thank you Stanley Kubrick!!



Closing 26:29 - 38:11
Wrapping up and Dan is ready to throw a curve ball! One of his favorite movies is coming up next time. A film widely regarded as a masterpiece...Winter Light! We'll see how this goes...

The Vengeance Trilogy

Vengeance Trilogy

By Park Chan-Wook

The Vengeance Trilogy is not a set of sequels. It is a triptych of films with a similar theme…revenge. We all know as human beings that revenge is a natural thought, human nature if you will. We also know the consequences and eventual fallout if we were to act upon these urges.

These films deal with different types of revenge and motives, but the story is all the same. Who were we before? Who are we now? What will we become?

Never have I seen a film, or in this case films, that was able to open my mind and soul to the reality of these questions. We all think that nothing will change, that vindication is absolute, and that the consequences are worth it all. With three different approaches we are shown the folly of our ways, we are given an intimate glimpse into a possible reality that could happen to any one of us. After watching these films we no longer know what we knew, we UNDERSTAND.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance


Synopsis:
Unable to afford proper care for his sister dying from kidney failure, Ryu turns to the black market to sell his own organs only to end up cheated of his life savings. His girlfriend urges Ryu to kidnap the daughter of wealthy industrialist Dong-jin, who recently laid him off. Ryu agrees, but unforeseen tragedies turn an innocent con into a merciless quest for revenge. Bound by their personal losses and deep-seated anger, the two men are thrust into a spiral of destruction.

Review:
One thing the synopsis fails to mention is that Ryu is a deaf-mute. Due to this fact the film is extremely subdued. A tribute to the acting skills involved! Because of his affliction everyone else in the movie speaks only when necessary, everything else is shown through facial expressions and pure, raw emotion that transcends any language barrier. The title Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is truer than any title I can think of. The story, acting, script, everything about this movie succeeds in gaining the viewers attention, gaining their sympathy. You may hear that this film, as with the other films in the Vengeance Trilogy, is excessively and graphically violent. Maybe I am just desensitized to violence from decades of horror films, but the violence was not excessive but necessary in conveying the emotion and feeling the film needed to give. I have felt bad or sorry for characters in other movies due to a situation they are placed in; but never have I felt such sympathy that I understood the gravity of the film’s situation. A slow burn for the start, this film is never boring but rather increasingly interesting. Knowing this could never end well, I still found myself hoping for the best, wishing well upon the actors in this tragedy play. This film may be a hard watch for some but that is only because it digs into the viewers’ soul and gives them truth. The ugly truths we hope to forget but must understand in order prevent such mistakes in our own lives.
9/10

Oldboy


Synopsis:
Oh Dae-su is an ordinary Seoul businessman with a wife and little daughter. After a drunken night on the town, he is abducted and locked up in a strange, private “prison.” No one will tell him why he’s there and who his jailer is and his fury builds to a single-minded focus of revenge. 15 years later, he is unexpectedly freed, given a new suit, a cell phone and 5 days to unravel the mystery and discover the identity of the enemy who had him imprisoned. Seeking vengeance on all those involved, he soon finds that his enemy’s tortures are just beginning.

Review:
This was the only film in the Vengeance Trilogy I had had previous knowledge of. A film I heard was good and always wanted to see. I was not prepared for what came afterwards. Where Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance took my heart and thrust me into a world that I wished could be fixed; Oldboy kept me outside the world. A Tom peeping in to see what mustn’t be seen. The performances in this film are so grand and deep, the situation so unbelievable that the viewer can only watch in horror as they have no control over the events unraveling. All you can do is watch. You may read about a twist ending, this is no M. Night Shyamalan twist. You are not going to go “Wow! I didn’t see that coming.” You will simply stare in horror as everything that has been built comes crashing down in a swirl of emotion and violence. The main cast is so powerful that they themselves torment you, asking you to help them solve the mystery and free them from their chains; but we cannot. At the end of the film, I was not touched emotionally at all as I was with Mr. Vengeance. My mind and soul were thoroughly broken however as I lay in shambles, a shell of the person I once was. As I watched and could do nothing, as I realized the evil in men’s hearts, the lengths of which men will go to fulfill their vengeance, the depths of the human soul; I saw the world around me, my own heart, and my own thoughts. Our world is dark, our world is hate; we have the power to change this, we can prevent events such as the ones depicted in Oldboy from happening, we can save ourselves.
Not for everyone I must warn, but worth the viewing nonetheless.
11/10

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance


Synopsis:
After being blackmailed and wrongly imprisoned for 13 years, a beautiful woman is finally set free. Now her brutally elaborate plan for vengeance against the true criminal can begin to unfold.

Review:
After watching the previous films in the Vengeance Trilogy, I was prepared for another great film but unaware of what this one would do to me, could do to me. As the film begins, I am sad to say, I was let down. The main actress presents a very cold spiteful woman, and presents this well. However, the structuring of the first 30 – 40 minutes leaves much to be desired. It was too broken, Oldboy was broken but coherent, but this was broken and had TOO MUCH narrative. I could not get involved with the character, her plight, and her feelings. I understood her stance but was not sucked in as I previously had been. Then all of a sudden it grabbed me. After she goes looking for her daughter I began to see her conflict. I was shown and began to understand her anger and her pain. Events quickly build and even quicker die out with no pay off. A cop-out you say? Hell no! The conclusion to this movie will draw upon many morality issues, but I for one will say that I am for what this movie represents and ultimately gives us. Those who will have issues are too ignorant in human emotion and could never understand until they are in a position similar to those in this movie. This is revenge fantasy at its most striking. Yet, director Chan-Wook never allows us to revel in it, he shows us the reality. The reality may not be as harsh as the previous films but it is there and it is true. While not perfect overall due to the lackluster beginning, Chan-Wook shows his ability to create great, powerful scenes that will stay with the viewer long after the credits roll.
8/10

Conclusion:
While each film is a powerful, engaging watch, only after viewing the trilogy as a whole does it really begin to affect the viewer. Three stories; three morality plays with revenge as both the pivot and the crux; three different manners in which we are affected in both real life and in the experience of watching these films. The box set is worth the price of admission, watch in the order as described here because only then will you not be totally jarred; only then will you have hope and redemption similar to the lead in Lady Vengeance; only then does everything become clear and your life can start anew.
9.5/10

My (failed) Attempt at a Jeff Bridges Tribute

Relatively on time, we have a new episode ready to gobbled up and criticized. Show us your worst!

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Introduction 0:00 - 40:03
Lots of movies were watched by Nolan and Dan between the last episode and this. Confusion is displaced and anger makes an attempt. Oh, the anger thing? Nolan talk about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, a movie that I loved! How does it turns out? I don't know.

Starman 40:03 - 1:03:02
What more can you say about a great 80s movie directed by John Carpenter and starring Jeff Bridges? Apparently nothing. Dan can't even talk about it! He just goes on and on about things other than the topic. This movie is great and negative rebuttals have no place in the face of John Carpenter's greatness!


Closing 1:03:02 - 1:10:51
Next time the results of our poll (which has been closed for more than a month now!) will decide our fate. How does it turn out? Will we be happy, displeased, or infuriated? Tune in next time to find out!!

P.S. Stay through to the end of this episode and tell me what you think about the song. I love it and am very curious as to others reaction!

The more things change...

We're Back Everybody!!! You guys can deal with a little hiatus right? Good, glad to hear it as we bring you the latest (cause it's not exactly new) podcast episode of The Everyman Critics!

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Introduction 0:00 - 31:01
Even though this was recorded about a week after our last episode (a month ago) we sure did watch a lot of movies in our spare time!

Oscar 31:01 - 1:17:43
We get really in depth on the psychology of Sylvester Stallone's character and what the meaning of this film in our modern society really means. Even Nolan got into the discussion. No joke!


Closing 1:17:43 - 1:20:24
Wrapping this bad boy up with the shortest ending ever, what will we do next time? Who knows? Nolan refused to decide! Good times are ahead, stay tuned.

The Third Man

While part of the Everyman Critics is broadening each others movie viewing there are some movies that i watch that may not be suitable for everyone's viewing. Rather than subject everyone to some of my more provocative movie viewing habits i will post reviews in the blog of some movies that won't be discussed with everyone else. This does not mean though that i won't push the boundaries every so often and make my fellow Everyman Critics watch movies they really don't want to watch. :)

-dan

THE THIRD MAN (1949)
TIME: 104 minutes
GENRE: Suspense
MPAA RATING: NR
LANGUAGE: English
DIRECTOR: Carol Reed
STARRING:
Joseph Cotton, Alida Valli, Orson Welles

RATING: 9/10

OVERVIEW:
Holly Martins arrives in Vienna at the request of a lifelong friend, Harry Lime, only to find that Lime had been killed in a car accident. Everyone Holly comes in contact with tries to get him to leave Vienna and return home. Once Holly discovers that there may have been a third man involved in tending to Harry after he was hit by the car he decides to stick around and discover what really happened.

REVIEW:
Roger Ebert once said that The Third Man is one of the 10 greatest films of all time. I would concur with this statement if it weren’t for the musical score featured so prominently throughout the film. Joseph Cotton gives a tour de force performance as Martins. It is amazing the depth of character he provides in what could have easily been flat if put in someone’s hands. Orson Welles also is great in the little bit of the film that he is featured in as well. After seeing Citizen Kane, I wasn’t too sure I wanted to see this film, but after watching it I’m glad that I have seen it. Perhaps it is because Carol Reed’s direction is so great and merely features Welles, whereas Citizen Kane was directed and starred Welles. I will have to check out Touch of Evil to see if I can really enjoy an Orson Welles directed film. The Third Man is definitely a must see for fans of film noir.

p.s. On a side note after watching The Third Man i re-watched a Pinky and the Brain episode titled The Third Mouse. While i found it amusing the first time around, after watching The Third Man the episode opened up much more to me.

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom

While part of the Everyman Critics is broadening each others movie viewing there are some movies that i watch that may not be suitable for everyone's viewing. Rather than subject everyone to some of my more provocative movie viewing habits i will post reviews in the blog of some movies that won't be discussed with everyone else. This does not mean though that i won't push the boundaries every so often and make my fellow Everyman Critics watch movies they really don't want to watch. :)

-dan


This time it's another film that was mentioned in the Hurt Locker episode of Everyman Critics. I bring you:

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)
116 min, Avant-garde, NR
Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
Starring:
Paolo Bonacelli, Giorgio Cataldi, Umberto Paolo Quintavalle

Rating – 7/10

Overview –
Rather than type up an overview for this film, i will just direct you to Wikipedia.

Review –
Salò is a movie that almost defies criticism. Some people will watch it to try to be shocked, some because of the artistic value and others because it was mistakenly put into their Netflix queue. i fall into the second group of people, but at first viewing i could find little to nothing of value in this film. There is not much left to the imagination in Salò and it cuts straight to the marrow. However, after processing the film i was able to see that there is more here than one would think reading the plot. It is a harrowing and highly nihilistic picture that is presented. One that shows monstrosities that happen behind closed doors in wartime and those of some of the most depraved humans. Salò is broken down into four segments: the Anteinferno, the Circle of Manias, the Circle of Shit and the Circle of Blood. Even without the title cards for each chapter it is not difficult to know which one of these circles the viewer is witnessing. This is not a film for the weak stomached or sensitive individuals. Even while writing this review images from the film flood my memory. i find it difficult to articulate exactly why this film is important in regard to film history, though i know i'm supposed to be able to. While this is tame compared to say Faces of Death, it isn't a film that i can suggest to anyone as a must watch film. Am i a better person for watching this? No, i can't say that i am.

Milk

Since there has been such a lull in posts of the Everyman Critics i thought that i might start to post reviews of some movies that i've watched over the past year that i have yet to either thrust upon my fellow Everyman or have thought were noteworthy and should be watched.

-dan

In keeping with the most recent post of the 2010 Oscars i thought i'd like look back to last years nominees and winner of Best Picture. The remaining nominee for Best Picture is Milk. This is a movie that won Sean Penn the award of Best Lead Actor and justly so. (though honestly it was a toss up for me between Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler) It also netted a nomination for Best Supporting Actor to Josh Brolin. While i think that this is a wonderful movie, it is not a movie that i think will be reviewed by the Everyman Critics as the content is one that could divide us more than any other movie that we have watched so far and the vitriol that could be spewed might really take us over the edge. So...on to the review

Milk (2008)
TIME: 128 minutes
GENRE: Drama
MPAA RATING: R
LANGUAGE: English
DIRECTOR: Gus Van Sant
STARRING:
Sean Penn, James Franco, Josh Brolin

RATING: 8/10

OVERVIEW:
Based on the life of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, Milk follows his life from his 40th birthday to his untimely death.

REVIEW:
This biopic about the first openly gay elected official is wonderfully shot and acted. Weaving archival footage into the story it paints a picture of a man willing to die for his beliefs and who ultimately was murdered for his activism. Tremendously well acted by every actor in the picture this movie is just as good as other critically acclaimed biopics recently released such as Walk the Line and Ray. Sean Penn gives such a wonderful performance in fact, that when watching Milk following the documentary, The Times of Harvey Milk, it felt like Penn was channeling Milk. And just as 'Walk the Line' got much of it's gravitas and realism from the love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter, Milk becomes more than just a story about an activist for gay rights through it's portrayal of some of Harvey Milk's relationships. One thing that i thought was interesting in this movie is that even though it does address Dan White's murder of Harvey Milk it does not portray White as a monster like so many other director's might, but as a man who felt betrayed and acted upon that emotion. Overall, i highly recommend this movie, unless the topic of gay rights is something that offends you.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Since there has been such a lull in posts of the Everyman Critics i thought that i might start to post reviews of some movies that i've watched over the past year that i have yet to either thrust upon my fellow Everyman or have thought were noteworthy and should be watched.

-dan

In keeping with the most recent post of the 2010 Oscars i thought i'd like look back to last years nominees and winner of Best Picture. Today's movie reunited the tag team of David Fincher and Brad Pitt which put together a dynamite movie in 1999: Fight Club. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is nowhere near as tight a movie as Fight Club, but then there is no reason to remake such a great movie. This movie reminds me of one of this year's nominees for best picture and one which a certain member of our group ranted about on a previous episode: Avatar. Now i haven't seen Avatar yet, but both movies seem to have a common thread. That thread being really "pretty" graphics with a "poignant" story that is way too long. Like i said before you stone me...i haven't seen Avatar, but one of the reasons i didn't go see it in theaters was it's 2 1/2 hour running time. However, i won't hesitate to sit through this entire film. Let the hate mail flood in...

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
TIME: 166 minutes
GENRE: Drama
MPAA RATING: PG-13
LANGUAGE: English
DIRECTOR: David Fincher
STARRING:
Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson

RATING: 4/10

OVERVIEW:
Benjamin Button is a man who was born at the end of WWI as an old man who ages in reverse.

REVIEW:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a novel idea that could make a very interesting short story. Well, actually it is based off of a short story, but was somehow made it into a 2 1/2 hour long movie. It reminds me a bit of Forrest Gump only Benjamin Button is not developmentally slow. It won 3 Academy Awards (Art Direction, Makeup and Visual Effects) which were deserved, but that is the problem with this movie: it looks pretty, but lacks any real substance. though there is still one scene that sticks in my mind even though i watched a year or so ago. It's the scene where they are at war on a boat. The scene was well done and fairly intense due mainly to the tight camera work and the acting. Aside from that one scene though there really isn't anything to write home about in this bloated movie.

The Reader

Since there has been such a lull in posts of the Everyman Critics i thought that i might start to post reviews of some movies that i've watched over the past year that i have yet to either thrust upon my fellow Everyman or have thought were noteworthy and should be watched.

-dan

In keeping with the most recent post of the 2010 Oscars i thought i'd like look back to last years nominees and winner of Best Picture. Today is a movie that garnered Kate Winslet her first Oscar (Best Actress) after having been nominated 6 previous times. Something i find humorous is that a few years prior she was in the British sitcom Extras and her character said "I don't think we really need another film about the Holocaust, do we? It's like, how many have there been? You know, we get it - it was grim, move on. No, I'm doing it because I've noticed that if you do a film about the Holocaust - guaranteed Oscar!" [side note: if you haven't seen Extras you are sorely missing out on a gem of a show] i know i'm odd, but i just find that extremely hilarious. so...on to the review.

THE READER (2008)
TIME: 125 minutes
GENRE: Drama
MPAA RATING: R
LANGUAGE: English
DIRECTOR: Stephen Daldry
STARRING:
Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross

RATING: 9/10

OVERVIEW:
Michael Berg (Fiennes) recalls his relationship with a Hannah (Winslet) and how it formed him into the person who he has become. It follows his life from adolescence in 1958 to 1995.

REVIEW:
When I first heard about The Reader I thought that it was a film that was about World War II. It is however, about post-WWII Germany and the relationship of the generation that was born after the war and their guilt for the things that their parents did during the war. All of the acting is top notch and the writing is phenomenal as well. I can see how Kate Winslet finally got her Oscar for this role, but at the same time I think that she has had at least one other role (i.e., Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) that should have garnered her a win. The story itself is something I don’t really think that I’ve ever seen or heard before, but a very intriguing one. There have been plenty of films about WWII, but very few that deal with the hurt and guilt that the country faced in its wake. Also a note that there is a fairly decent amount of nudity so it’s not a movie to watch if you’re overly sensitive about nudity, but it is a movie that I would highly recommend.

Slumdog Millionaire

Since there has been such a lull in posts of the Everyman Critics i thought that i might start to post reviews of some movies that i've watched over the past year that i have yet to either thrust upon my fellow Everyman or have thought were noteworthy and should be watched.

-dan

In keeping with the most recent post of the 2010 Oscars i thought i'd like look back to last years nominees and winner of Best Picture. Today is the movie that walked away with not 1, but 8 golden statues at last year's awards ceremony: Slumdog Millionaire. i would like to be able to say that i was too harsh on a heart warming little independent-type film that could, but then i'd just be lying to you. Perhaps it is because i am so cold and no movie could affect me, but then we all know that isn't true if you listen to this podcast. i would like to point out one thing before we go on...i gave Christmas Evil a 4/10 rating. Just saying. So without further ado...my review.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (2008)
TIME: 120 minutes
GENRE: Drama
MPAA RATING: R
LANGUAGE: English and Hindi
DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle
STARRING:
Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal

RATING: 3/10

OVERVIEW:
Jamal Malik (Patel), a kid from the slums of India, comes within one question of winning 20,000,000 rupees on India’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Suspected of cheating he is arrested and interrogated. During this time he explains how he knew the answers to the questions based on events in his life.

REVIEW:
Slumdog Millionaire won 8 Oscars at the 2009 Academy Awards so it is a good film, right? Wrong. The whole plot might be fairly original, but the execution comes off extremely dry and does not warrant the critical praise that it has received. The handheld, shaky camera look is overused in the film and could induce nausea. Within the first half hour of the movie I was checking the time begging for it to be almost over. There was nothing in the story that made me feel anything for the characters. It all just seemed to be a Sally Struthers type montage of poverty stricken areas. To top it all off I guess for me would be that the backdrop for the story is the show Who Wants to be a Millionaire as I loathe it as well.

Frost/Nixon

Since there has been such a lull in posts of the Everyman Critics i thought that i might start to post reviews of some movies that i've watched over the past year that i have yet to either thrust upon my fellow Everyman or have thought were noteworthy and should be watched.

-dan

In keeping with the most recent post of the 2010 Oscars i thought i'd like look back to last years nominees and winner of Best Picture. First up is who i thought should have gone home with the golden statue in 2009: Frost/Nixon. i wrote this review almost immediately after watching the film and while in retrospect i think i might have lauded it a bit much, i still stand by my recommendation that this was the best picture of 2008.

FROST/NIXON (2008)
TIME: 123 minutes
GENRE: Drama
MPAA RATING: R
LANGUAGE: English
DIRECTOR: Ron Howard
STARRING:
Michael Sheen, Frank Langella, Matthew Macfadyen

RATING: 10/10

OVERVIEW:
Based on the Tony Award Winning play, Frost/Nixon is a retelling of the famous David Frost and Richard Nixon interview in 1977.

REVIEW:
Frost/Nixon is an unequivocal masterpiece of film-making. The sincerity, depth and gravity that all the actors bring to the film, especially Frank Langella as Nixon, are absolutely amazing. This is a film without the explosions of many Hollywood blockbusters that packs more wallop and is far more gripping than any other film released in 2008 and quite possibly in the past few decades. Ron Howard has never been as on top of his directorial prowess than he is in this movie. It has done something that I never thought possible and that is to find a sympathetic side to Richard Nixon, but at the same time still allow for a disdain of his crimes.

Oscar 2010 "recap"

Hey everybody! Sorry for the lack of episodes lately but...I've been busy. Can't blame me right?

Anyway, to satiate your thirst for new content we here at the Everyman Critics are proud (sort of) to present our Oscar 2010 Recap!

Download the Episode Here!

This episode is totally uncut and raw, hell we just recorded it like an hour ago! My recording studio ran out of hard drive space last night so the super awesome show lasts for...6 minutes and then me and Dan try to recapture the magic. Did we succeed or not? Who cares, it was fun!

Just in case you guys need a refresher of when we first talked about the Oscars and gave our "predictions" check of this episode here and listen where the time code tells you to!

Stay tuned for future episode that are very much delayed.

Thanks

The Most Dangerous Game

While part of the Everyman Critics is broadening each others movie viewing there are some movies that i watch that may not be suitable for everyone's viewing. Rather than subject everyone to some of my more provocative movie viewing habits i will post reviews in the blog of some movies that won't be discussed with everyone else. This will also help to cut down on talking about 7 or 8 movies i watched during the week. (This way hopefully Nolan won't be so pissy. ;)) This does not mean though that i won't push the boundaries every so often and make my fellow Everyman Critics watch movies they really don't want to watch. :)

-dan

This time i'm going to do a review of a movie that was based on one of my favorite short stories. I give you:

The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
TIME: 63 minutes
GENRE: Suspense
MPAA RATING: NR
LANGUAGE: English
DIRECTOR: Irving Pichel, Ernest B. Schoedsack
STARRING:
Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks

RATING: 7/10

OVERVIEW:
The Most Dangerous Game is a cinematic retelling of Richard Connell's short story of the same name. It tells the story of a man who survives a shipwreck and is stranded on an island. An eccentric hunter lives on the island who has bored of hunting animals and has stumbled on the most dangerous game.

REVIEW:
This movie is a fairly faithful adaptation of one of my favorite short stories. There are a few things missing here and there that i recall, but then if they put them in it wouldn't have gotten past the standards board at the time. There is nothing really scary here or surprising if you know the story, but it's great fun to watch the story come to life. All of the characters are pretty much cardboard cutouts in a similar vein to all of the monster movies of the time, but again it's all fun. Definitely recommended if you enjoy the 1930's horror movies Frankenstein, Dracula, The Invisible and the ilk.

Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese has often been called the greatest living director and with his vast output of classic films this title is well deserved. Scorsese’s films have always been great examples of perfect storytelling. Some people prefer lots of hidden subtext and a “deeper” meaning but Scorsese simply tells a story with perfect direction and cinematography, the fact that his actors give great performances as well certainly doesn’t hurt.



Shutter Island is Scorsese’s newest film starring his new protégé Leonardo Dicaprio. This film is being marketed as a Horror film and while it certainly can fit into that category it transcends Horror to become something else, a psychological thriller that tells a great story.

The premise is simple enough, two federal marshals (played by Dicaprio and Mark Ruffalo) visit Shutter Island, home to a mental institute for the criminally insane, to search for a violent patient who has mysteriously escaped. Of course, during their investigation the marshals soon discover that nothing is as it appears and various devious plots are afoot. Some people may think that this is just generic horror plot #2 and “oh, I’ve seen this before” but they may be right but sorely mistaken at the same time.

During their stay at Shutter Island Dicaprio’s ulterior motives are revealed and in his quest to solve the mystery of Shutter Island you can see his character fall into madness. Is he going crazy? Is it all a conspiracy? Who knows, but the back story and various hallucinations he has might make you think either is possible. As Dicaprio searches for the truth he climbs deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole and the supporting cast continues to up the ante and propel this story forward, deeper into the mystery.

Scorsese pay homage to all the truly great horror/thrillers of yore. Alfred Hitchcock is a name that comes to mind because the tension and transformations of the characters throughout the course of the movie were his trademarks. During the opening scene where Dicaprio and Ruffalo are traveling on a ferry to the island I was thoroughly amused at the way the scene was shot, the dress of the characters (the movie takes place in 1954), and even the classic Boston accents as it really reminded me of classic Film Noir. Hell, the only thing that could have made the first half of this movie better would be if it was shot in black and white. This is a classic 50s film presented to a modern age!

One thing that cannot go unnoticed is the film score. The music was so appropriate in setting the mood it really harkens the classic noir and Hitchcock feel. This movie is all about atmosphere, from the style to the music and the character portrayals; you are involved with this film. Sure I never felt truly emotionally attached to the characters but the movie sucked me in to where I was right there alongside them trying to uncover the mystery of Shutter Island. What is better than feeling for characters than being a part of the story yourself? That depends of the movie and with Shutter Island being a part of the story is much more fun than feeling for the characters.

The performances are spot on and unlike other directors who try this type of story and fail, the execution and timing were perfect! As the story unfolds you know something isn’t right, secrets are being kept and something sinister is afoot; you (the viewer) feel like Dicaprio’s character and he shows this emotion and transition well. This film continues with the suspense and mystery all the way up to its dizzying climax and even then it doesn’t fail to enthrall.

It never goes for cheap scares, there are no boogiemen or supernatural killers, or any of the other tropes that many people dislike Horror for; there is only suspense, tension, timing, and great storytelling. This is why this is more Noir than Horror and also why this is a great movie that will be remembered as another Scorsese classic.
9/10

Am I being biased because it's Scorsese or is this a really enjoyable film that connects with what I like to see in movies? Let me know be sounding off in the comments or by emailing us at feedback@everymancritics.com.

8½

While part of the Everyman Critics is broadening each others movie viewing there are some movies that i watch that may not be suitable for everyone's viewing. Rather than subject everyone to some of my more provocative movie viewing habits i will post reviews in the blog of some movies that won't be discussed with everyone else. This does not mean though that i won't push the boundaries every so often and make my fellow Everyman Critics watch movies they really don't want to watch. :)

-dan

This time i'm going to go back and post a review of a movie i watched awhile ago and was referenced in the 'Wristcutters: A Love Story' podcast, '8½'. It was only mentioned in passing, but it's such a great movie that i feel that it deserves more recognition from me. Oh, just so you don't think i'm going to go soft on my fellow everyman, we will most likely be watching this one in the future. On to the review:

8½ (1963)
TIME: 138 minutes
GENRE: Drama
MPAA RATING: NR
LANGUAGE: Italian
DIRECTOR: Federico Fellini
STARRING:
Marcello Mastroianni, Anouk Aimee, Sandra Milo

RATING: 10/10

OVERVIEW:
A director fresh off a previous film which was a smash hit, prepares for his next film. However, the last film took much out of him so he heads to a spa for relaxation and recovery. While there he begins to become hounded by actors, producers, his mistress, his wife and retreats into a fantasy world. It was recently remade into a musical titled 'Nine'.

REVIEW:
8½ is a masterpiece! It is a semi-autobiographical film by Fellini on his own trials as a filmmaker. Mastroianni's performance made me very sympathetic to him even though his character is little more than a womanizer. For the most part it may seem that Fellini has just thinks of women as merely objects for his amusement, but by films end one can see that he has a deep love and respect for women – he just doesn’t know how to show it. After seeing this I know that I must see 'La Dolce Vita' as it is hailed by many as Fellini’s greatest film.

Suicide is funny??

Welcome back everybody! Thanks for sticking around through our little break there but your patience has paid off! Episode 8 is now available.

Download the episode here!

Introduction 0:00 - 37:18
Dan watched a lot of movies, Nolan acts like a dick, Garrett watched a lot of movies, Nolan acts like a dick, I watched goddamn Zombieland, Nolan acts like a dick. See a pattern?

Oscar Predictions 37:18 - 55:48
We provide a mostly uninformed opinion about the 2009 Academy Awards. We do a round table discussion on who we think will win and who we feel should win. Will we be correct? Only time will tell so in the meantime check out all the nominees yourselves and give your opinions here!

Wristcutters: A Love Story 55:48 - 1:30:10
Such a great movie! Funny, sweet, thoughtful and also starring Nolan and Garrett (kinda sorta). Take a listen and definitely take a look!

Closing 1:30:10
So it's Garrett's turn, what fate will await us?? He says Oscar with Sylvester Stallone but....we shall see!!!

The Last House on the Left (1972)

Horror movies are an iffy subject when it comes to most people. Some people don’t mind them while others hate them with a pure and unbridled passion! I however LOVE horror movies and try to make it a point to watch as many as possible to gain knowledge on the development of the genre as opposed to just wanting to see the wonderful violence.

The Last House on the Left was Wes Craven’s first film as a director so I could not resist checking this movie out. So what do I do? I rent the original and the 2009 remake for comparison’s sake.
What follows is a true story, only the names have been changed to protect the survivors.

The Last House on the Left (1972)

Mari and her friend Phyllis go into the city (NYC) to celebrate Mari’s 17th birthday before returning home. Mari’s parents are preparing a wonderful birthday party for their perfect, sweet little angel.
This movie starts off so joyfully, it really goes to show you how good of a person Mari is and how much she is loved by everyone around her. It really makes the viewer see her as an angel, one that should be kept precious and protected.
Then Mari and Phyllis decide they want to smoke pot (as everyone knows: drugs = death in a horror film) and come across some people that might be able to help them out. Too bad the people they find are 3 escaped criminals and their psychopathic friend/jail breaker!

What follows is approximately one hour of true horror. The girls are kidnapped and taken to the middle of the woods were they are, quite frankly, brutalized. The best I can akin this portion of the movie to is that of a snuff film. It may be Wes Craven’s masterful direction or the type of film used to shoot the movie, but it looks horrifyingly real. If I was asked while watching this movie if I thought the people on screen were actors, I would have said “NO!” Everyone does a terrific job of portraying their roles in a manner that I don’t think I have seen before. Usually you know that it is acting and that an actor is doing a good job or a shitty one. These people WERE their characters, and once again, great direction and/or 70s style grainy film really gives a home video touch that reaches out and grabs the viewer.

I felt for these girls, I was shocked at what I saw, and even felt a little guilty for watching it. If the entire movie was this portion…GREATEST HORROR MOVIE EVER!! But sadly, it’s not.

Throughout the film, we also follow the “adventures” of a couple of ignorant, worthless, idiotic cops. None of the scenes with the cops are funny in the least bit! I think their presence is meant to break the realism of the film, otherwise it would be practically impossible to watch, but these scenes are so stupid they simply upset the viewer and when it gets back to the main movie the viewer has lost most of their anxiety and intensity (don’t worry, wait 5 minutes and it will return).

The final act of the film centers on Mari’s parents with whom the killers have decided to (unknowingly) pay a visit to. While this act has moments that really make the viewer feel good, as well as horribly wrong, it is quite short and after the hour long snuff film we just saw, comes as quite a disappointment. If the intensity could have held up and we felt more suspense as the climax unfolded…the only gripe would be those damn cops!!

Justice is sweet, but after what we just went through we deserve to feel more vindicated than we ultimately do! 6/10


Stay tuned for my review/comparison of the 2009 remake of The Last House on the Left!

Am I making better Human Beings or just exploiting children?

BOOM BABY!!!
We are taking a break next week but will be returning soon. In the mean time we begin this slight hiatus with a bang! That's right, the long awaited Flash Gordon episode is now available!

Download the episode here!

Introduction 0:00 - 26:26
Just me and Dan this time but wait....special guest apperance!?! That's right Dan's 8-year-old son Elijah is joining us this episode for an unbiased look at our movie this time!

Flash Gordon 26:26 - 1:14:50
While we do discuss the movie and its many complexities and subtle nuances...this picture sums up practically everything you need to know about Flash Gordon...and yes it's AWESOME!


Conclusion 1:14:50 - 1:21:47
Everything gold cannot stay and with that we say goodbye to our buddy Flash and leave our fate in YOUR HANDS!! Next time we will watch some movie that you the listener has chosen. Vote in the poll and we will see where this takes us!

Sweet Movie

While part of the Everyman Critics is broadening each others movie viewing there are some movies that i watch that may not be suitable for everyone's viewing. Rather than subject everyone to some of my more provocative movie viewing habits i will post reviews in the blog of some movies that won't be discussed with everyone else. This does not mean though that i won't push the boundaries every so often and make my fellow Everyman Critics watch movies they really don't want to watch. :)

-dan



This first installment will focus on a film that i watched not that long ago and mentioned during the Hurt Locker review.

Sweet Movie (1974)
98 min, Avant-garde, NR
Directed by Dusan Makavejev
Starring:
Carole Laure, Pierre Clémenti, Anna Prucnal

Rating – 8/10

Overview –
Two stories about two very different women intercut by documentary footage of Nazis discovering mass graves of Polish officers executed by the USSR. One story is about a virgin who wins a game show to marry a billionaire businessman. She is subjected to various sexual humiliations by her new husband, the family bodyguard (who packs her in a suitcase and sends her to Paris) and a Latin singer. These humiliations leave her in a catatonic state and she is taken to a commune and nursed back to health through ritualistic treatment. The other story is about a woman who has been the lover of many revolutionaries. She has a boat that is filled with candies. She falls in love with another revolutionary and seduces some youths to join the cause and then kills them all.

Review –
While on the surface this film would appear to be a film meant only for people that are looking for shock value and titillation there is a deeper meaning that makes this film recommended viewing for people with an open mind. The story of the virgin can be seen as a commentary on capitalism; how capitalism is stripping humanity of the things that make us human and that in order to repair the damage that is being done we need to relieve ourselves of this and to acknowledge some of our most basic instincts. In doing this we can then be nurtured back to a healthy civilization. The story of the lover can be seen as a commentary on how we crave revolution or change. We hear the vague responses to what we desire and we begin to sugarcoat reality so we don’t have to see the truth behind some of these ideals which in turn kills the revolution. The bodies of those revolutionaries are then brought to light and reborn again to repeat the cycle. The documentary footage was quite provocative at the time as it was footage in opposition to what the Soviet Union was professing regarding the Katyn Massacre. There is still more to be gleaned from this film, but i will leave it up to the viewer to research and obtain this information themselves. Overall, this is a film i wouldn’t suggest to just anyone, but if you are willing to put in the time i think that this film can open up for you.

This is why we have a Disclaimer!

The Everyman Critics are proud to present you with episode 6! This episode is sure to make us either lose all our listeners, get sued, or gain respect for having no fear!

Download the episode here!

Introduction 0:00 - 14:05/38:58 - 41:21
We start off the same as always but this time around Dan has trouble getting his words out! We discuss movies we have recently seen and boy has Dan got some weird ones to talk about! I, however, talk about this...

Avatar 14:05 - 38:58
I watched Avatar, I loved Avatar, and here I not only delve into the specifics of the film, its flaws and achievments, but I also address some of the controversies surrounding the film and trust me...my filter was turned off!!
I really want to know what our fellow everymen have to say so please divulge in full your opinions and disagreements by sending us an email.

The Hurt Locker 41:21 - 1:28:00
This segment is very sobering as we talk about not just the movie but provide slight commentary on the war itself and how it has affected us and the people we know. WOW, yeah we start to get a little deep here but that is what this kind of movie can do to somebody.

Closing 1:28:00 - 1:32:26
Next time on The Everyman Critics, I have chosen to subject everyone to a cult classic, a piece of nostalgia from my childhood, a masterpiece (in a manner of speaking), Flash Gordon!!!
Needless to say...more of Nolan's singing voice.

Attn: Henry Rollins, just ask and you can have Nolan's address!

Welcome back fellow everymen! We really seem to be hitting our comfortable spot with these podcast episodes and now you can enjoy our latest endeavor!

Download the Episode Here!

Introduction 0:00 - 27:50
Starting out in the usual fashion, we discuss movies that we recently watched in our free time. Dan tells us about Fritz Lang's Metropolis, and I am impressed with what he has to say, Nolan enjoyed an early Nicolas Cage film, Red Rock West, and I get crazy with the cheese whiz talking about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!

Feast 27:50 - 1:02:24
What else can you say about a horror movie that is in it for the jokes and violence? I don't know but we sure had a lot to say about it! Especially Nolan. There is a moment in the review where we talk strictly about Henry Rollins, the baddest mofo in existence, and...wow is all I have to say. Enjoy!!!

Closing 1:02:24 - 1:09:57
Next time, Nolan decides to have us a watch a movie that, as of the recording, is about to come out on DVD...The Hurt Locker. We'll see how well that goes so until then give us some Feedback and receive long distance high-fives if you can figure out the quote used at the end of the episode!

The A-Team

Hey everybody, so this weekend the first trailer for the new A-Team movie hit the internet airwaves. Scheduled to come out this summer, my first initial thought was...aww crap. I haven't been too thrilled about the majority of remakes based off of things from my childhood. Whether they are TV series based of simply movie remakes, Hollywood continues to ruin my childhood, see the previous post where I mention the new Karate Kid movie.

I am not against Hollywood doing these things as long as they don't taint my childhood memories and provide quality entertainment for me today.

This doesn't appear to be MY A-Team


But the new trailer looks to be the kind of movie that will properly update the story and be one hell of a summer ride.
Check out the trailer below:


There you have it my fellow Everymen, sound off below!

I Had the Time of My Life

Welcome back movie lovers!!! We had a little extra break there due to the holidays, but things are now only as crazy as they normally are so without further ado...Episode 4 of The Everyman Critics!!!

Download the Episode here!

Introduction 0:00 - 14:49
We do the usual rundown of movies we recently watched in our free time as well as give uninformed opinions of the new movies to hit theaters!

The Quiet Man Part 1 14:49 - 31:12
A classic American movie set in Ireland, a classic John Wayne movie, a classic debate when interpretations cause a rift in the Critics...will we survive?

Intermission and The Quiet Man Part 2 31:12 - 47:09
A more grounded approach as to what makes this not only a classic movie but a good movie.

Closing 47:09 - 49:30
We push through all the things that hold us back and prepare for the next episode that is sure to be a spectacle of awesomeness!! Plus, more of Nolan's wonderful singing voice!!