Tag Archives: Steven Spielberg

06.23.23
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THE PERFECT FIND and STAN LEE on Episode #467

The Perfect Find. (L to R) Gabrielle Union as Jenna and Keith Powers as Eric in The Perfect Find. Cr. Alyssa Longchamp/Netflix © 2023We start the show this week by reviewing David Gelb’s documentary STAN LEE (3:55), which chronicles the life and mythos of Marvel’s Stan Lee but makes some truly bizarre storytelling choices that paint a sanitized, incomplete portrait of his life. Next, we discuss Numa Perrier’s vibrant Netflix rom-com THE PERFECT FIND (25:19), where Gabrielle Union plays a woman trying to start a new chapter in her career only to be thrown for a loop when she falls for her boss’s (Gina Torres) son (Keith Powers). The leads have great chemistry, there is some funny dialogue and amazing production and costume design, but we all agree that the film struggles a little in the last act. In this week’s Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film JURASSIC PARK in honor of its recent 30th anniversary! 

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03.03.23
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CREED III, THE YEAR BETWEEN, and LA CIVIL on Episode #451

Michael B. Jordan stands facing Jonathan Majors in the film Creed III.Dave leads off by reviewing Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, CREED III (2:15), which isn’t as strong as the other films in the CREED series but has a compelling antagonist played by Jonathan Majors. Next, we all discuss THE YEAR BETWEEN (13:45), writer/director/star Alex Heller’s semi-autobiographical dramedy about a college student named Clemence, who moves in with her family after she’s diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It lands with one of us, but two of us aren’t big fans of it. Then we cover Teodora Mihai’s ethically thorny drama LA CIVIL (34:38), which is about a mother (Arciela Ramírez), whose teenage daughter is kidnapped in Northern Mexico and decides to do whatever it takes to get her back. And in this week’s Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steven Spielberg’s WWII drama SAVING PRIVATE RYAN in honor of its 25th anniversary this year! 

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12.23.22
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WOMEN TALKING and THE FABELMANS on Episode #441

The cast of Women Talking sitting in a dark barn looking concerned.We start by reviewing Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical film THE FABELMANS (2:14), which explores his love of filmmaking, his parents’ marriage, and the antisemitism he experienced growing up. They’re themes we’ve seen him tackle before in his movies, but we’re split on whether there’s enough unique value that makes this movie worth watching. Next, we delve into Sarah Polley’s WOMEN TALKING (33:34), a compelling chamber piece drama about women from a religious community who have been abused by the men in it, debating whether they should forgive them, stay and fight, or leave. And in this week’s Patreon exclusive audio, we discuss a Patron’s choice, the Hallmark movie HANUKKAH ON RYE!

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12.02.22
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TÁR and BROS on Episode #438

Cate Blanchett conducts an orchestra with a look of elation on her face in the move Tár.This week we start by reviewing Nicholas Stoller and Billy Eichner’s BROS (2:25), a funny, acerbic queer rom-com where two gay men from very different backgrounds (Eichner and Luke Macfarlane) unexpectedly find love in New York City. Next, we dig into Todd Field’s TÁR (24:17), a complex portrait of a problematic character—a world-renowned conductor at the height of her career, Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett), who has done awful things to those around her. And in this week’s Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steven Spielberg’s directorial debut, the 1971 thriller DUEL starring Dennis Weaver!

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09.16.22
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GOD’S COUNTRY, SEE HOW THEY RUN, and PEARL on Episode #427

Thandiwe Newton stands in front of a pile of chopped wood looking off into the distance in the movie God's CountryDave starts the show by reviewing Ti West’s PEARL (2:09), a prequel to his horror film X. It also stars Mia Goth, but is surprisingly different, in a good way. Next, we all discuss Tom George’s 1950s whodunnit SEE HOW THEY RUN (11:01), a disappointing meta send-up to Agatha Christie that at least has fun performances by its leads Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan. Then we cover the Julian Higgins slow-burn thriller GOD’S COUNTRY (23:35), a layered, emotionally complex film about a professor (Thandiwe Newton) caught in an escalating battle with hunters who trespass on her property. And in this week’s Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steven Spielberg’s 1977 sci-fi film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND! 

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12.10.21
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HOUSE OF GUCCI, THE CARD COUNTER, and WEST SIDE STORY with Guest Charlie Nash on Episode #387

Lady Gaga smirks with a cigarette in her mouth that she's about to light in the movie House of Gucci

We don’t all agree on HOUSE OF GUCCI, but we do all agree that Lady Gaga is great in it

Frequent guest Charlie Nash stops by this week to fill in for Megan. He offers a quick plug for his new podcast, Almost Major, before he reviews Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of WEST SIDE STORY (6:09), which despite his admitted bias against a particular actor in it, offers great spectacle and inspired tweaks to the original story. Next, we all discuss Paul Schrader’s THE CARD COUNTER (16:30), an intense tale about trauma and guilt starring Oscar Isaac, Tye Sheridan, Tiffany Haddish, and Willem Dafoe. After that we delve into Ridley Scott’s HOUSE OF GUCCI (39:28), a movie about wealth and manipulation that we have polarized reactions to. One thing we do agree on: Lady Gaga is great in it. And in this week’s Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about a Patron’s request, Ted Demme’s 1994 dark Christmas comedy, THE REF, starring Denis Leary!

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03.31.18
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READY PLAYER ONE, PANDAS, and lots of movies from the Boston Underground Film Festival on Episode #194

Tye Sheridan wearing VR gear in READY PLAYER ONE.There’s a lot of show this week on Spoilerpiece. First, Dave updates everyone on CHRONOLOGICAL COENS (4:05). Then Kris and Evan share their experiences covering lots of movies at the Boston Underground Film Festival (5:58), beginning with MY NAME IS MYEISHA (9:00), and followed by PIN CUSHION (13:36), THE QUEEN OF HOLLYWOOD BLVD (15:30), LET THE CORPSES TAN (18:32), THE RANGER (21:58), TOP KNOT DETECTIVE (27:47), MEXMAN (28:40), REVENGE (30:05),  TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID (30:54), and BAD MANNERS (31:49), the only movie Kris and Evan reeeeeeeally disagree on. Dave gives a quick rundown of the new IMAX movies PANDAS (35:00). Finally, it’s Steven Spielberg’s big-ass adaptation of READY PLAYER ONE (36:33). There’s serious ’80s regression during this section, kids. Thanks to our patrons! Some exclusive audio from this episode will be out by Saturday!

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12.23.17
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MOLLY’S GAME, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, and THE POST with special guest Charlie Nash on Episode #180

The Post

This week, friend of the show (and the hosts!) Charlie Nash returns to the guest seat in Dave’s absence. The first review of the night is Evan and Charlie with MOLLY’S GAME, Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut. The famed writer of A FEW GOOD MEN, THE WEST WING, and THE SOCIAL NETWORK, known for his tight and layered dialogue, would have benefited from applying the same discipline to his camerawork and pacing, as a worthwhile story with good performances gets buried under its own weight (and penchant for mansplaining). Next up is Charlie with a captivating recap of CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, Luca Guadagnino’s coming of age tale love story starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer. It boasts lush visuals and a deep exploration of discovering sides of ourselves we neither understand how to express nor contain. Wrapping things up is THE POST, Steven Spielberg’s latest masterpiece — yes, it really is — about the publishing of the Pentagon Papers. With a top-notch cast and a clear understanding of the stakes, it’s a must-see for history buffs or anyone who cares about valuing truth  and accountability above comfort and stability.

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07.01.16
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THE BFG, OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, and EAT THAT QUESTION: FRANK ZAPPA IN HIS OWN WORDS on Episode #103

The BFG

Some of the very very very good motion capture in THE BFG that Kris describes.

Somehow a conversation about moving on this week’s show turns into a digression about sippy cups where Evan shares why he needs them. The episode opens with a first ever joint segment of “Riedel’s Recaps” and “Keepin’ up with the Jensons,” where Kris and Dave talk about MCCABE & MRS. MILLER (at 4:26), one of Dave’s all-time favorite movies. They fill in some blanks left by Charlie’s exploration from the previous episode and use the segment as an opportunity to discuss Robert Altman in general. Then Kris reviews THE BFG (at 18:30), a movie that is neither Disney nor Steven Spielberg’s best work, but it does contain very very very good motion capture. After that Dave covers EAT THAT QUESTION: FRANK ZAPPA IN HIS OWN WORDS (at 36:22), a talking head documentary that only contains one talking head—Frank Zappa himself. He ends up talking about the Zappa family’s recent drama for a bit before Evan wraps up with OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, a bromantic and tedious spy flick featuring Stellan Skarsgard with a BFM (Big Fuckin Mullet) and a silly Russian accent.

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10.16.15
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BRIDGE OF SPIES, CRIMSON PEAK, STEVE JOBS, and GOOSEBUMPS on Episode #66

Brooklyn lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks) meets with his client Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), a Soviet agent arrested in the U.S. in DreamWorks Pictures/Fox 2000 PIctures' dramatic thriller BRIDGE OF SPIES, directed by Steven Spielberg.

BRIDGE OF SPIES is tense, good-humored, and committed to its main character.

Dede Crimmins sets a new record with her fourth appearance as a Spoilerpiece guest. Fresh off her trip to Fantastic Fest, she fills Evan and Kris in on her favorite films from the fest: THE LOBSTER, HIGH-RISE, GREEN ROOM, and SOUTHBOUND. Then the three of them talk about CRIMSON PEAK, which is beautiful, creepy, and fully-conceived. After that Dede shares her thoughts on GOOSEBUMPS, a movie for kids and big kids like Evan who read the books growing up. Next Kris tackles STEVE JOBS, which is directed by Danny Boyle, the first person to direct at the speed Aaron Sorkin writes. Finally, Evan and Kris close out the show with BRIDGE OF SPIES, a picture that’s tense, good-humored, and committed to its character.

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