The Last TwentyThere are movies that just grab you the last 20 or so minutes. Own it. Stream it. On TV. You get the same sensation of enjoyment with the twists, turns, comeuppance, wins and losses. The ending can often make or break a movie, so this a celebration of the movies you go back to multiple times, just for the last twenty.
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Bringing cinema back this week in honor of the mountain top being reached later this week. We love the award-winners, auteurs and deep movies as much as the next person. However, in honor of the upcoming double-feature of Moonfall and Jackass Forever we all get the break that we probably need more than we know it. We’ll celebrate the popcorn flying, idiocy reigning supreme because at the end of the day if we want to see something else at the box-office, we kinda need these two to succeed, right? Bad trip with Eric Andre and Lil’ Rel Howery is one of those rides you quite literally can’t take your eyes off of, much like the car wreck that it is. Trust me, in this case, this is a compliment. A wonderful blend of reality, staged reality and some dashes of plot to make this one more than just a 90-minute YouTube video. For such a gross-out, over-the-too movie it does layer on an affection for its characters, which might sound ridiculous and that’s just the point - it is. Even as real-life seems to be one long highlight reel of outtakes from Idiocracy, this blend of car wreck and improv hits the right mix of laughs and outrageousness to shock even in 2022. We’ve honored Jackass Forever with a nod to the outrageous stunts and shock and awe but we can’t forget to also find a spirit animal for Moonfall. We might have become numb to Dwayne Johnson vehicles appearing like a utility bill nearly every month but one of the most fun and over-the-top ones is Skyscraper. Here’s a portion of IMDB summary: “Ten full years after that fateful hostage situation that cost him his left leg, the former leader of an FBI Hostage Rescue Team and now a private security consultant, Will Sawyer, travels with his family to exotic Hong Kong to certify the world's tallest skyscraper, the Pearl . . . Now, the city's safest building has trapped Will's family somewhere in the 96th floor, above the raging inferno, and Sawyer, with the police hot on his trail, must summon up the courage to enter the high-rise. But, can he reach his family before the all-consuming fire turns the skyscraper into a massive, 225-storey chimney?” Furthering the Rawson Marshall Thurber collaborations catalog, this one is a throwback to high concepts of the 1980s movies - for the better. Plus, the wildly underused Neve Campbell is along for the ride as Dwayne Johnson’s wife. Sure, a “225-story chimney” concept is silly but the movie knows that and embraces it with open arms, just like the Jackass franchise. In 2022, if we live in a world of cinematic theme parks, we need the new rides to open sometimes instead of a constant flow of known universes. Sure, Jackass is the fourth in a franchise but - for better or worse twenty years later - it represents something different and what was once counter-culture, the outsiders and misfits. In the here and now, the movies like Javkass and Moonfall are the movies we need as we wait in line at the cinematic theme park with maybe a chance to pull us out to something unexpected. The Full MixThe GrubHmmm, what goes with battling an elderly man, Buscemi as a serial killer, Sandler, The Rock and getting violated by a gorilla? Feels like you should play it safe and just grab a pizza my friend.
As Scream rolls into theatres this weekend, it all got us thinking about the upsides of reboots, sequels, reboot-quell and seboots. We are certain the last two are a thing by the way. In ‘96, Scream set off a series of teenage events in the world of movies. When something new hit, that formula would get drained until the last bit of box-office dripped from the knuckles of the last WB star left standing. In the spirit of finding something new and positive (even though we are recycling), the first two ripe for a reboot are Urban Legend and The Faculty. A wrinkle we would like to see is @rodriguez reboot his own 2020s version of The Faculty and a digital-age take on Urban Legend. Maybe Jared Leto can come back around for the fun. We know he was in it. 😉
A trifecta sure to land at the top of executives desks are Tremors, Disturbing Behavior and one that we are really serious about seeing given the reboot treatment while we’re at it, The People Under the Stairs. Maybe if Scream lands well then some deeper cuts from Wes Craven and the 90s in general get small-budget, up-and-coming directors treatment. Tremors is probably a Netflix movie in 2022, as is Disturbing Behavior. The People Under the Stairs is one with the pedigree of Craven behind it, deep enough cut for it to feel fresh and a solid plot to build upon and modernize in 2022 and beyond. Look, reboots and reimaginings aren’t going anywhere, so it is time to take the Moneyball approach: “Adapt or die.” Movies That MotivateGet your ass in gear. New year. New you. Assuming that we all haven’t completely fallen off of the new year’s resolutions after a couple days but may already be teetering, this week addresses the 850-lb. gorilla in the room. Yeah, the gorilla gained a 50 spot over the holidays, too. We’re mixing up the movies to get us going, remember how minuscule some of our problems can be in comparison to others and good ole get your butt up off the couch flicks.
Somewhere along the way over the past few years movies like Brittany Runs a Marathon seemingly come and go with little-to-no fanfare. In fairness, there may never have been a time when the story of a young woman looking to make big life changes including her weight and health would have ruled the box-office but this one seemingly came and went. However, this movie deserves another look from you, especially during this time of year of resolutions, decisions and setbacks. Jillian Bell toes the line of despair and heartache with grace and humor that will just make you feel better. The journey Jillian’s character goes feels authentic. Painful and real. The performance (and movie) feel like one we’d like to keep around for some time throughout this year because you know what, we’ll probably need it. There are valid feeling this time of year. Then there those feelings we toss around the water cooler or awkward silences of Zoom meetings. For those of us who guide ourselves into the latter part of the statement, let’s all listen to Cher in Moonstruck and “Snap outta it!” because there are real things in the world to tackle, make better and true, lasting suffering. Someday our hope is for a curated film festival which looks at 2020 through the lens of movies, the lack of new releases and resuscitation of others. Just Mercy delivers a grounded performance from Michael B. Jordan and some of the most effective courtroom scenes, as well as heartbreaking prison scenes in recent memory. When we find ourselves down over the next few weeks, a movie to motivate is Just Mercy. Great? Not even close? Fun, familiar and warm . . . now you're talking. Yep. You see Robbie the Reindeer climbing the charts here too, but trust us, it is in a totally Mystery Science Theater 3000 kind of way.
The stockings will be hung with no regard for care, disgruntled Santas and weird little reindeer dance in your head with our first part of the week looking at some odd picks to make it weird with the Movie Crew. We’ve got the annual mix of movies that just don’t make sense yet feel so right. Happy ‘Twas the Night Before Movie Night week. A holiday double dip like no other could be this next track on the mix. The 80s were a hell of a time and you could probably encapsulate the era’s bonkerness through these two Christmas movies. You know what I mean, Vern? Hitting this time of year means one thing: Family Time. Every year we take a look through the holiday lens with a little bit of tongue-in-cheek, picks outside of just the traditional holiday movies while acknowledging the difficulty for some. We’ll layer on the joys of simplicity, maybe slowing down and enjoying some time with people you like, whether that be in real life or cinematic pals. Get ready for a good healthy dose of cinematic families, gooey sweetness and flicks that just make you feel good about life.
The year is 2002. Two movies brought in audiences for a variety of reasons including their accessibility, humor and downright fun time. However, it’s our belief, falling right in line with a little bit different take on the holidays, is the familial aspect of both My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Barbershop. MBFGW captures the big, never ending family tree while Barbershop nails the community around a spot held dear to everyone’s hearts. When time allows to grab a double-feature this time of year you might think about what it is you want or need and sometimes it’s a family, friends and community to pick us back up or shake your head in disbelief. Asking the great question of the 80s and 90s kids: What was your go-to movie/video store growing up and what was that Friday Night Feeling to you?
Us: A & A Video and IGA. Miles away from Blockbusters Hollywood Video or even Family Video. Yep. You used to rent movies in grocery stores kids. Nothing like Disorderlies + Banquet Frozen Dinner to create lifetime memories. This week it’s a dash of nostalgia bumped up against the new world order of streaming bringing the goods. We’ll throw on the smock, give you the side eye when you try to rent ANOTHER Shannon Tweed movie while we venture out into the here and bow’s platform-loving, awards-chomping streaming picks. We’ll double-up old VHS picks with the newest, shiniest flicks out or coming soon. This week it’s Video Store Vibes all around. Our first track on this week’s trip back to the Video Store is a quintessential high-concept 80s comedy which seems incomprehensible to think Tom Hanks, yes, THAT Tom Hanks would star in. Or does it? Looking outside of Finch’s doomsday scenario and CGI flare there is a high-concept 80s thread of man, dog and robot, tying nicely back to the 80s rack full of man, mermaid, bikinis and bikinis. We haven’t had a chance to check out @appletv Finch just yet but our focus this week is on the nostalgia of yesterday’s release rack and an examination of how much has changed, yet very little has changed too. We’ll be glad to report back next week on the next ride we take with our dear dad Tom Hanks in Finch. A western pick from @netflix and an 80s western make the cut tonight. So how are these two in the same ballpark? 1. Genre 2. Cast. When the choices were few and far between on the shelves, sometimes it came down to just a “Oooh, look, they got ALL those people in a movie? I’ll take it.” The Harder They Fall absolutely gets the right people together with Regina King - we will fight anyone who doesn’t like her but have yet to meet anyone - Idris Elba and Lakeith Stanfield. See how this works? In a western? Yep. Sign us up. Pulling even more on the thread of how the line between old and new is stronger than you might think, the great thing about the here and now is the accessibility to new, minority voices that a couple of decades ago might not have found a way to any type of screen. The double dip brings in A Cop Movie, yet again from @netflix and Director Alonso Ruizpalacios in a blurred line look at two actors becoming police officers as reality becomes larger than life. The connections abound back to El Mariachi when one looks back at reality being larger than life itself as Robert Rodriguez bootstrapped the indie into the stratosphere and became an indie darling, as well as a much coveted rental VHS as the lore about its production became bigger and bigger. It's all about the decade which birthed a man-duck created by Mr. Star Wars, a big swing and a miss unless truest of camp was the intention, some kids who like to hang out at the dump and many more retro picks as we travel back in time to . . . (Insert your own echo voice) the 80ssssssss. It will get weird. We promise.
Going deeeeep back into the 80s for this Family Time mix. When parties become a thing again, I think a killer way to break the ice is to open with references to these to campy classics most of the family can sit through: Masters of the Universe and Return of the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. Here's how to win over the partygoers and your family: Hey everyone, want to watch a movie with Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella AND Courtney Cox? After overwhelming consensus, you can recommend Masters of the Universe. Option 2, hey everyone, listen up!! I found this really interesting and odd food movie where they attack people and oh, there's a guy name George Clooney in it!!! Night won!!! Yes. It has been a really, really long time since I've been to a party and probably forgot how they work. In the meantime, try them out on your family as you head into the 80s treasure chest for your next movie crew night. Alright, gather round movie crews for the tale of two of the oddest 80s picks about kids in garbage cans and a duck who has a relationship with the mom from Back to the Future. 😂😂😂 Seriously, these were thing that happened in the 80s, kids. Garbage Pail Kids and Howard the Duck round out our mix of nostalgia and weirdness for the week. Probably don't want to check the old Tomato-meter on these two cult classics but for wild ride of what was going on in the late 80s, take these two for a spin. In honor of our bonkers flicks this week, we'll spin the wheel for a hodgepodge of snacks, grub and goodness as we head into the weekend. Movie Crews assemble!!! Time for It to Get Weird
We’re back doing the thing after a week off. Trying out some new things and getting back to the roots of the traditions, odd nights and memories we create along the way. No better way than taking a trip down the scarred path of awkwardness and watching the movies with juuussst a little too much raunch or not over-the-top action. It’s gonna get weird this week. The ultimate question of movie watching comes from treating it like swimming: Are you going to take it easy or just jump off the deep end? In a world before cell phones, disappearing messages and probably more than a fair share of NC-17 worth of images, there’s still corners of the cinematic world where the first litany of cuss words, bare skin or buckets of gore resonate. One night can change your life, right? At the edge of adulthood, whether the plot of the movie or not, some flicks and the first watch resonate for no other reason than this: How many times are they going to cuss? Yep. The symphony of f-bombs and beyond, litany of SOBs and shocking amount of jokes about the most sacred person around: MOM. Yes, the R-Rated comedy experience is one to savor and only comes around once-in-a-lifetime. OFF THE DEEP END Silent Night Deadly Night A Lars Van Trier Flick because why the hell not? THE CLASSIC PICKS T2 Friday the 13th Nightmare On Elm Street COMEDY ROUTE Coming to America Superbad Good Boys Clerks Scary Movie Ghosbusters Afterlife is everything we should be against, right? On paper it would seem to milk the brand in a nostalgic way, goes the way of out and out world enhancing to create a young cast to carry the torch for another ten, fifteen years. However, we are ABSOLUTELY here for it. Despite online reactions - sometimes those are just a vast void of negativity - the trailer looks fun, fresh and exciting. Also, having Jason Reitman helming this sequel/reboot makes perfect sense and is the one who would hold the proverbial keys to success. Reitman has had more hits than misses and grew up with Ghosbusters close to home. As the dates have shifted, our excitement hasn't waned and ultimately this one feels like it was made for many moments - theaters reopening, holiday movie time as families come together - all a result of what appears to be a nod back to the Ghostbusters before and those to come.
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