Podcasting the Pith of Pop
Movies
Popspotting #181: “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” (Dec. 19, 2011)
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Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law reprise their big-screen turns as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in this second Guy Ritchie-helmed outing, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” Once again, this classic, brainy crime-fighting pair are dropped into a noisy world of fistfights, explosions, and slo-mo bullet-time shots. There’s no intellectual pretense in this winter blockbuster, but this sequel at least delivers a smarter story and a better bad guy: Dr. Moriarty, played by Jarred Harris.
Popspotting #178: “Flickchart Face-Off” (Dec. 14, 2011)
15 months ago
About a month ago, we counted down our favorite ways to waste time online. One of Jen’s picks was Flickchart, a virtual battleground for movie lovers. The concept is simple: pit two movies against each other, and choose the one you like best (or dislike the least). So today, we decided to the Flickchart challenge together.
Not an original idea, perhaps, but a fun idea for sure. Disagree with any of our picks? Horrified that we haven’t seen a must-see movie? We want to hear from you!
Popspotting #176: “The 2009 Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Dec. 12, 2011)
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As excited as we are to see David Fincher’s adaptation of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” we know the Swedes did it first. Before seeing what Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara do with Stieg Larsson’s international bestseller, we decided to take in Niels Arden Oplev’s interpretation, starring Mikael Blomkvist and Noomi Rapace. Although we’ve not read the books (we plan to!), we were curious whether the well-received Swedish version leaves any room for an American remake.
Popspotting #171: “Bowie Family Duo” (Nov. 28, 2011)
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Today for Movie Monday, we explore an unusual family tie. We start with “Moon,” the feature directorial debut of Duncan Jones. Then, we revisit “The Prestige,” a magical film that features the acting talents of Jones’ dad, David Bowie. Both movies may have you questioning reality as you revel in some outstanding performances. Sam Rockwell shines in a part created just for him, while Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman face off in a battle to rule the stage.
Popspotting #166: “The Muppets” (Nov. 21, 2011)
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For Movie Monday, we preview a Thanksgiving release we’re not ashamed to admit that we were really looking forward to, movie critic cred be damned. After a 12 year break, “The Muppets” return to the big screen, led by Jason Segel and Amy Adams.
We also review “Small Fry,” the latest Pixar short that further extends the world of “Toy Story.”
Popspotting #161: “J. Edgar” (Nov. 14, 2011)
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Leonardo DiCaprio takes on yet another larger-than-life historical figure in Clint Eastwood’s new biopic, “J. Edgar.” The film follows the career of the FBI’s first and most infamous director, J. Edgar Hoover, who held his position and influence through several presidents, from 1935 through his death in 1972. He built the agency into an investigative powerhouse, but burned many bridges along the way, surviving largely through the shrewd collection and use of secret files he kept on every powerful person in the country.
In addition to DiCaprio, “J. Edgar” stars Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, and Judi Dench. The film is also full of cameos portraying famous figures from history, including Jeffrey Donovan as Bobby Kennedy, Josh Lucas as Charles Lindbergh, Christopher Shyer as Richard Nixon, and Emily Alyn Lind as Shirley Temple.
Ambitious in scope, with clear Oscar intentions, does “J. Edgar” bring history alive? Is the combination of political intrigue with a forbidden love story a compelling one? Or is the film brought down by its a winding narrative, drab settings, and distracting old-age makeup?
Popspotting #156: “The Descendants” (Oct. 31, 2011)
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“The Descendants” is the latest film from director Alex Payne (who last brought us “Sideways” in 2004, as well as “About Schmidt” and “Election”), and stars George Clooney (who has already garnered Oscar buzz for his turn in “Ides of March,” which we reviewed earlier this month). On those two points alone, this movie has a lot going for it.
But “The Descendants” is also a film set in, and a film about, Hawaii, based on the novel of the same name by local author Kaui Hart Hemmings. And that’s why we were especially eager to see it.
“The Descendants” doesn’t go into wide release until November 18, but it has already played to much acclaim at film festivals in London, New York, and Colorado. Fortunately, the Hawaii International Film Festival also made the cut (as it should). So with the help of our good friend Chris, we were able to score the hottest ticket at HIFF, and get an early look.
We won’t often review a film before it comes out (it’s a small miracle we get to see movies while they’re still in theaters), but this one was too special to wait. If you’ve seen the trailer, you’ve been spoiled more than you would be with our discussion.
While we had notably different takes on “The Descendants,” it’s safe to say we both recommend it… especially up against “Twilight” and “Happy Feet 2,” which sadly share the same release date.
How does the Aloha State fare on the big screen? How well can Clooney play a regular guy? Listen for our take!
Popspotting #151: “Real Steel” (Oct. 24, 2011)
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In the not-too-distant future, the sport of boxing swaps robots in for humans. And a young boy’s junkyard find sees an unlikely rise to stardom, as he reconnects with the father he never had. We admit, the setup for “Real Steel” seemed cliche, and the trailers suggested a potential bomb. But while our expectations were low, this family-friendly movie easily exceeded them, and gave us something we might even watch again.
“Real Steel” stars Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, and “LOST” alums Evangeline Lilly and Kevin Durand. It also stars a dazzling array of animatronic and computer-generated robots. We didn’t even get to talk about the score by Danny Elfman, which seemed to draw from a million other “sport champ” themes but still do something interesting.
Did you see “Real Steel”? Did we capture why the flick is so charming? Or have our tastes been corrupted by the unavoidable chemical changes that come with parenthood?
Popspotting #146: “Ides of March” (Oct. 17, 2011)
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After a much-needed week off, we return to “Movie Monday” with “Ides of March.” With a spectacular leading cast and a setup made for the big screen, do we endorse and pledge our delegates to the ticket, or vote it down as mere Oscar bait?
“Ides of March” stars Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymore Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti, and Marisa Tomei.
Popspotting #141: “Dumping Lloyd Dobler” (Oct. 3, 2011)
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This “Movie Monday” brings another double feature, this week highlighting two of Jen’s favorite John Cusack films. Although he’s plays a teenager in one and a directionless twenty-something in the other, Cusack delivers memorable performances in both as men dealing with love and heartbreak.
“Say Anything” was released in 1989, and was written and directed by Cameron Crowe. We meet aspiring kickboxer Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack), who romances valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye). This is Jen’s all-time favorite movie (although she’ll tell you it’s “The Godfather Part II” to save face), and one that we both have seen over a hundred times.
Released in 2000, “High Fidelity” is based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name (published in 1995). Directed by Stephen Frears, who’s only other notable credit is probably “Dangerous Liaisons” two years earlier), the film is a snapshot of a generation… or at least a generation of men. Cusack plays Rob, who gets dumped by yet another girlfriend, and decides to take a trip down memory lane to figure out what’s wrong with him.
The possibilities are endless for John Cusack features, and John Hughes films for that matter. Got a suggestion for a future film pairing? Speak up!
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