Movie Moan 2015: Episode 3 - A Little Ronery
Tue, February 10, 2015 Phil's on his own this week. Please join him so he doesn't get lonely...
Classic Movie Moan
Phil thought that his film universe would stay in harmony but that depends on certain factors, including the fact that he will always enjoy a movie made by the Wachowski's, however divisive it may be. That is no longer the case and Phil is here to ramble for 40 god damn minutes and tell you why 'Jupiter Ascending' really is the worst film they've ever made (5:38).
Marveling At The Future
Spencer Perry and Phil Gee are a little late to the party on that trailer for Josh Trank's 'The Fantastic Four', but that doesn't mean our opinion doesn't count right (47:44)? After that, we delve into the realm of R rated comic book properties, and whether they need to be R rated films in order to succeed as quality pieces of entertainment. We ask the question 'what do you do with The Punisher?' (52:56), and the equally probing 'does Deadpool have to be R rated?' (1:15:12)
Cinematic Happy Comfort Food
The awesome Capt. Ed Hocken joins Phil to talk about one of the films he always pulls off the DVD shelf to fill that cinema sweet spot; 'L.A Confidential' from 1997 (1:30:06).
Don't just watch the video version above. Play the podcast via Soundcloud or download the MP3 version right here:
Reader Comments (12)
I enjoyed your review of Jupiter Ascending Phil even though I enjoyed the movie to be perfectly honest. I concede that the plot was a mess on so many levels. Different strokes for different folks I guess. As for Tuppence Middleton who played Kalique, she was quite good in the British anthology series Black Mirror. The episodes are streaming on Youtube. Check them out and have a good one. :)
Hey Phil, it's awesome you plan on posting all the James Bond Retrospective podcasts back online. Do you also plan on posting the Harry Potter and Superman Retrospective podcasts back online soon as well? Thanks.
Supermoan will be back but it won't be anytime in the immediate future. The Potter ones will be also be back up sometime this year.
Great review of JUPITER ASCENDING, Phil! I just saw the film today, and I absolutely agree with a lot of the things you said (your hilarious take-down of Eddie Redmayne is dead on; no idea what the hell he was thinking with that performance!)… and yet I still found myself enjoying the silliness. There was enough visual splendor and creativity on display for me to give it a pass, and I did think that the big action sequence in Chicago is legitimately tremendous.
With respect to the Punisher, it seems like a no-brainer to me that Marvel should consider introducing the character in one of its Netflix series. Just based on the trailer for the DAREDEVIL series, the tone they’re going for there does not seem incompatible with the kind of tone you’d need for the Punisher.
Also, very happy to see L.A. CONFIDENTIAL get some serious love. Such a wonderful, incredible film, and it remains one of my favorite movies of the 1990s.
And I’m thrilled to hear that your James Bond specials are coming back, even if only in audio form. Those were a blast!
Thanks for a great discussion. I enjoyed your takes on all three comic book properties and their characters. Any chance we'll get a retrospective on the television iterations of Superman anytime?
My problem with Jupiter Ascending began once I saw the full trailer for it and noticed it's one of those trailers that literally is a reader's digest version of the whole damn movie (it gives away everything that's going to happen in it) and that's enough to keep me away. Yes, that's blaming the marketing and not the movie but still those trailers drive me bats. But it looks like I was better off staying away so okay.
@Archer
That's the plan. That's all I can say. That is my plan.
Just finished listening to the Classic section. Had to stop and comment. Holy toledo Phil -that was a helluva of a 45 minute plus monologue! Did you get that all down in one take?
Impressive, however you managed to pull it off. Most Impressive.
Ok, finished listening to the rest of it.
Well done sir. Well. Done.
Three varied segments and finishing on an upbeat with cinematic comfort food is a stroke of brilliance.
The big bugaboo with restricted movies is not the violence but the language and nudity. LOTR certainly never suffered in the violence department from not having R ratings.
Love the idea of Deadpool breaking the fourth wall to complain about being muzzled because of the movie rating! Inspired!
As to the Punisher, I don't know. With the current climate around guns in the US and public shootings, his modus operandi hits too close to the bone of the social consciousness.
I really have to revisit LA Confidential even though I'm not a big fan of gangster/crime movies.
Wonderful job! Really looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on the upcoming Netflix Marvel series especially Daredevil.
Hey guys maybe a segment on potential video games to movie adaptatiosn with the upcoming World of WarCraft and plans for The Last Of Us, video gaming is becoming cinematic and more positioned for these types of cross overs. Beyond Two Souls also has more than enough material in it to be adapted too.
And my oh my! Look at all that James Bond stuff to wade through! When you guys said you were coming back in 2105 - you came back big!
Later!
@Lou
Your kind words and support are always appreciated. Thank you!
Another great one, Phil, thanks!
I think the problem with the Punisher is that they have tried to force superhero elements onto a character that doesn't fit that mold. 2004 version had silly aspects like the Russian and Frank's cliche neighbors who seemed like they belong in another film entirely. war zone was even more over the top. Punisher is the most the most realistic superhero. I think the key is to drop the whole "Punisher is a bad guy" take and straight up ask an audience to side with him. A good Punisher film should be controversial. A director should be accused of glorifying Violence and vigilantes. I think most people who have been a victim of violence or lost loved ones to it wouldn't be so quick to say "I'd never ask you to side with Frank Castle!" The character is kneecapped with that approach. Show us what he lost. I'd like to see some Time with him as a husband and father before the switch happens (with better writing than the 2004 version). Let us get to know his wife and kids. It's such a simple story and for some reason, Filmmakers are not trusting it or they aren't being trusted by studios to let it stand on its own. We haven't had a truly great revenge thriller in a while. Frank waits to step in and fill that void. I think the film should be R- not necessarily because of gore, but because you're showing some rough things in a Punisher film. I remember a story where he shot a teenaged gangbanger. I'd recreate that on film. The best thing for studios is you don't need 300 million and leveling cities and crazy costumes and set pieces for the Punisher. It's gunplay on a small level. It's cheap compared to superhero films.
As far as Deadpool, I think Spencer is right on the money. Bleep the cursing, etc.
The Jupiter ascending review made me wish I still smoked weed. The fact that you reviewed it alone somehow added to the strangeness. I'm driving and listening to one man try to recount what sounds like an acid trip courtesy of James Joyce. Its a keeper. I very much appreciate the warning, but it just made me want to see the film more. Keep up the good work and thanks for putting Bond back up!
@Collin
I think that's why Dolph's Punisher has its fans. It doesn't have the comic book elements (mostly). And you certainly don't side with Frank or feel much for him. He's too far gone.
Thank you for putting up with me in the car. Very flattering actually.