Episode #594: "Rebuilding" and "The Secret Agent"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
This week, Megan watches (2:30), writer-director Max Walker-Silverman's follow-up to (which Megan loves), about a cowboy putting his life back together after a fire destroys his home and land, and the homes of many people in his community. Then Megan and Dave discuss (22:14), a Brazilian film by Kleber Mendonça Filho about political violence and corruption that's receiving accolade after accolade this year. (Wagner Moura won Best Actor at Cannes, for one.) , we cover Kelly Reichardt's 2010 film .
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Episode #593: "Wicked: for Good" and "Train Dreams"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
Megan fills Dave in on (4:07), the conclusion of the film adapation of the Broadway musical which is an adaptation of the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Verdict: Megan liked it, but didn't love it the way she loves ( for a reminder). Then Dave and Megan talk about (20:34), director and co-screenwriter Clint Bentley's adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella. With gorgeous cinematography, a quietly deft screenplay, and a beautiful central performance from Joel Edgerton, Megan and Dave both see TRAIN DREAMS ending up on their year-end...
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Episode #592: "The Running Man" and "Nouvelle Vague"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
The Megan-Dave dynamic duo returns with two new movies, Edgar Wright's (2:15) and Richard Linklater's (25:41). Dave didn't see THE RUNNING MAN but he was able to fill Megan in on the difference between Stephen King's novel and the . But how did Megan like Wright's version? Eh...she didn't love it. (But she did love Colman Domingo, so there's that.) As for NOUVELLE VAGUE, Megan and Dave return to the age-old question: Who is this movie for? Aside from a Linklater fan or someone steeped in French New Wave cinema, does anyone really want to see a cutesy black and white take on the making of...
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Episode 591: "Predator: Badlands," and "Die, My Love"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
Dave and Megan are a duo again this week, and they get down to it on (3:29), the latest, and, in their estimation, largely successful attempt to prolong the life of the PREDATOR franchise. P:B is kind of silly and even cute in places, but the dynamic duo are largely here for it. (Megan is super here for it!) Then they get into (28:34), director and co-writer Lynne Ramsay's latest. Featuring strong performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, Megan and Dave dive deep to dissect just what's going on in this movie. And they also try to figure out just what's going on in this movie,...
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Episode 590: "Ballad of a Small Player" and "Hedda"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
Evan is off this week so Megan and Dave dig into (2:17) and (22:31). Dave only got through 40 minutes of BOFSP because he hated it, and Megan takes the reins. Then they both discuss HEDDA, Nia DaCosta's latest as writer-director, which Megan loooooooooooved and Dave...didn't. , the October poll winner is Wes Craven's 1981 film , and it is a HOOT.
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Episode #589: "Frankenstein" and "The Mastermind"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
Dave is back this week but, bum that he is, didn't get a chance to watch either film this week. So that leaves Megan flying solo on (3:00), writer-director Guillermo del Toro's take on Mary Shelley's classic novel. Short version: Megan loooooooved it and particularly enjoyed that this version portrays Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) as a complete bastard, and it gives the Creature (Jacob Elordi) a humanity and depth that other versions don't. Then Evan joins Megan for (17:04), writer-director Kelly Reichardt's latest, about an art heist gone wrong - largely because its planner (or...
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Episode #588: "Vicious" and "Chain Reactions"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
Megan and Evan hold down the fort again this week, while Dave's on vacation. Megan kicks things off with a review of (2:25), Alexandre O. Philippe's insightful documentary about THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, which takes an intriguing approach: it examines the film's impact on five artists — Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama — exploring how it shaped their art and psyche from childhood trauma. Megan is a big fan and highly recommends it. Next, both of us discuss Bryan Bertino's disappointing psychological horror film (20:55), starring...
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Episode #587: "The Lost Bus," "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You," and "John Candy: I Like Me"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
Dave is off this week, so Megan and Evan are coming at you as a duo! Megan starts by reviewing Mary Bronstein's absorbing psychological drama (1:56), starring Rose Byrne as the world's most put-upon mother sinking under the weight of many simultaneous crises. Next, Evan reviews the Colin Hanks' delightful, moving documentary (16:19), which chronicles the life of the late comedian John Candy through deep interviews with friends and family, home video footage, and clips from his most memorable performances. Lastly, Evan and Megan join forces to discuss the surprisingly effective Paul...
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Episode #586: "Good Boy" and "Are We Good?"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
This week, we (Dave, Evan, and Megan) discuss documentary (2:34), which follows comedian Marc Maron (and directed by Steven Feinartz) as he prepares for his comedy special, podcasts, and deals with grief after the death of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton. We all like Maron, who's a captivating subject, and appreciate his discussion of grief. But we had issues with the chaotic editing and didn't really learn anything new about him. Then we all talk about (28:22), Ben Leonburg's unique supernatural horror film told from a dog's point of view. Indy the dog accompanies his human...
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Episode #585: "Eleanor the Great" and "Dead of Winter"
Spoilerpiece Theatre
This week, Evan and Megan discuss (3:14), Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut starring June Squibb as a 94-year-old Jewish woman who's grieving, tells a lie that spirals beyond her control, and befriends a college student (Erin Kellyman). The great performances anchor the film. Then we all (Dave, Evan, and Megan) talk about (24:21), Brian Kirk's action thriller starring Emma Thompson as a woman travelling solo in the woods who discovers a kidnapped teen and must contend with the kidnappers. We had divergent opinions on the film, but we all agree Judy Greer is fantastic as a desperate...
info_outlineMegan fills Dave in on WICKED: FOR GOOD (4:07), the conclusion of the film adapation of the Broadway musical which is an adaptation of the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Verdict: Megan liked it, but didn't love it the way she loves WICKED (click here for a reminder). Then Dave and Megan talk about TRAIN DREAMS (20:34), director and co-screenwriter Clint Bentley's adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella. With gorgeous cinematography, a quietly deft screenplay, and a beautiful central performance from Joel Edgerton, Megan and Dave both see TRAIN DREAMS ending up on their year-end best-of lists. Over on Patreon, we watch the 2015 psychological horror film THE INVITATION, directed by Karyn Kusama and starring Logan Marshall-Green and Tammy Blanchard.