Movie Wars

di 2-Vices Media

Critiche cinematografiche

Total Recall Vs. Minority Report (Ep. 0017)

Phillip K. Dick wrote two incredibly prophetic stories of technophobia with The Minority Report(1956) and We Can Remember it For You Wholesale(1966). It doesn’t hurt that they also led to two Sci-Fi classics carried by leading men Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise. Get paranoid and get weird with the Movie Wars crew as we discuss Total Recall and Minority Report.  Want access to bonus content, interviews with legendary filmmakers, and Host Q and A's? Click here to become a Movie Wars Patreon Supporter!  This helps keep the show ad-free, and gets you access to Kyle's show "Filmosophy", Interviews with legendary filmmakers, Q and A, a private Facebook group, and outtakes!  Film Summaries: Total Recall Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting the colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a company that plants false memories into people's brains, in order to experience the thrill of Mars without having to travel there. But something goes wrong during the procedure; Quaid discovers that his entire life is actually a false memory and that the people who implanted it in his head now want him dead. Rating: R Genre: Sci-Fi, Action Director: Paul Verhoeven Producer: Buzz Feitshans, Ronald Shusett Writer: Philip K. Dick, Jon Povill, Gary Goldman Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2002 Box Office (Gross USA): $117.8M Runtime: 1h 49m (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/total_recall) Minority Report Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in Washington D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this Precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn't even met. Rating: PG-13 (Drug Content|Brief Language|Some Sexuality|Violence) Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: Steven Spielberg Producer: Gerald R. Molen, Bonnie Curtis, Walter F. Parkes, Jan de Bont Writer: Philip K. Dick, Scott Frank, Jon Cohen Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 2002  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2002 Box Office (Gross USA): $132.0M Runtime: 2h 24m

Se7en Vs. The Silence Of The Lambs (Ep. 0016)

Kyle, Drew, and Phil decided to take on two psychological icons for the scary October episode of Movie Wars. Hannibal Lector is a cinema-defining character while Se7en is considered one of the most innovative, creative, and daunting thrillers of all time. Get a break from the slashers and listen to the MWP as they get psychological.  Want access to bonus content, interviews with legendary filmmakers, and Host Q and A's? Click here to become a Movie Wars Patreon Supporter!  This helps keep the show ad-free, and gets you access to Kyle's show "Filmosophy", Interviews with legendary filmmakers, Q and A, a private Facebook group, and outtakes!  SE7EN When retiring police Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills (Brad Pitt), they discover a number of elaborate and grizzly murders. They soon realize they are dealing with a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who is targeting people he thinks represent one of the seven deadly sins. Somerset also befriends Mills' wife, Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is pregnant and afraid to raise her child in the crime-riddled city.   Director: David Fincher Producer: Arnold Kopelson, Phyllis Carlyle Writer: Andrew Kevin Walker Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2000 Box Office (Gross USA): $100.1M Runtime: 2h 5m (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seven)   The Silence Of The Lambs Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.   Director: Jonathan Demme Producer: Ronald M. Bozman, Edward Saxon, Kenneth Utt Writer: Thomas Harris, Ted Tally Release Date (Theaters): Feb 13, 1991  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 21, 2001 Box Office (Gross USA): $130.7M Runtime: 1h 59m Distributor: Orion Pictures (Courtesy  of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/silence_of_the_lambs)  

Sleepless In Seattle Vs. When Harry Met Sally (Ep. 0015)

Only on Movie Wars can we go from discussing pimps and franchised anarchy one week and then Rom-Coms the next week. When you watch a good Rom-Com, you can taste it. The taste of Fall or Christmas against the backdrop of a romanticized New York, Chicago, or Seattle. Grab a latte, take a stroll with your soulmate, and laugh along with the Movie Wars crew as we Love and War. Film Summary Sleepless In Seattle  After the death of his wife, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Mallinger). When Jonah calls in to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father, Sam grudgingly gets on the line to discuss his feelings. Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a reporter in Baltimore, hears Sam speak and falls for him, even though she is engaged. Unsure where it will lead, she writes Sam a letter asking him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.   Genre: Romance Original Language: English Director: Nora Ephron Producer: Gary Foster Writer: Nora Ephron, David S. Ward, Jeff Arch Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 1993  Wide Runtime: 1h 44m Distributor: Columbia Tristar Production Co: TriStar Pictures (Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sleepless_in_seattle)  When Harry Met Sally  In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years later, Harry and Sally meet again at a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher), attempt to stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them.   Genre: Romance Original Language: English Director: Rob Reiner Producer: Rob Reiner, Andrew Scheinman Writer: Nora Ephron Box Office (Gross USA): $90.4M Runtime: 1h 35m Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment (info provided by Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/when_harry_met_sally)   

Fight Club Vs. Taxi Driver (Ep. 0014)

Kyle, Drew, and Phil tackle two giants of cinema in episode 0014. Taxi Driver and Fight Club explore the depths of the mind and its impact on society as a whole. Both films show their respective directors and actors growing into their craft. Hail a cab with the Movie Wars crew as we dissect the layers of morality in Taxi Driver and Fight Club. Film Summaries:  Taxi Driver Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city. When Travis meets pretty campaign worker Betsy (Cybill Shepherd), he becomes obsessed with the idea of saving the world, first plotting to assassinate a presidential candidate, then directing his attentions toward rescuing 12-year-old prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster).   Genre: Drama Original Language: English Director: Martin Scorsese Producer: Julia Phillips, Michael Phillips Writer: Paul Schrader Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 1976  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 14, 2007 Runtime: 1h 53m Distributor: Columbia Pictures (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/taxi_driver) Fight Club  A depressed man (Edward Norton) suffering from insomnia meets a strange soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and soon finds himself living in his squalid house after his perfect apartment is destroyed. The two bored men form an underground club with strict rules and fight other men who are fed up with their mundane lives. Their perfect partnership frays when Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), a fellow support group crasher, attracts Tyler's attention. Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama Director: David Fincher Producer: Ross Grayson Bell, Ceán Chaffin, Art Linson Writer: Chuck Palahniuk, Jim Uhls Release Date (Theaters): Oct 15, 1999  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Oct 14, 2003 Box Office (Gross USA): $37.0M Runtime: 2h 19m Distributor: 20th Century Fox Production Co: Art Linson Productions, Fox 2000 Pictures, Taurus Film, New Regency Pictures (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fight_club) 

Field Of Dreams Vs. The Natural (Ep. 0013)

The Movie Wars crew has sports on the brain as the NFL, college football, and baseball are in full bloom. Sports films are the perfect vehicle for tackling heavy subject matter. It only felt right to tackle two juggernauts of the sports films sub-genre: Field Of Dreams and The Natural. Field Of Dreams When Iowa farmer Ray (Kevin Costner) hears a mysterious voice one night in his cornfield saying "If you build it, he will come," he feels the need to act. Despite taunts of lunacy, Ray builds a baseball diamond on his land, supported by his wife, Annie (Amy Madigan). Afterward, the ghosts of great players start emerging from the crops to play ball, led by "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. But, as Ray learns, this field of dreams is about much more than bringing former baseball greats out to play. Rating: PG Genre: Fantasy Original Language: English Director: Phil Alden Robinson Producer: Charles Gordon, Lawrence Gordon Writer: Phil Alden Robinson Release Date (Streaming): Dec 16, 2003 Box Office (Gross USA): $61.8M Runtime: 1h 46m Production Co: Gordon Company The Natural On the way to a tryout with the Chicago Cubs, young baseball phenom Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is shot by the unstable Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey). After 16 years, Hobbs returns to pro baseball as a rookie for the last-place New York Knights. Despite early arguments with his manager, Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley), Hobbs becomes one of the best players in the league, and the Knights start winning. But this upsets the Judge (Robert Prosky), their owner, who wants Hobbs to lose games, not win. Rating: PG Genre: Drama Original Language: English Director: Barry Levinson Producer: Mark Johnson Writer: Bernard Malamud, Phil Dusenberry Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2007 Runtime: 2h 14m Production Co: TriStar Pictures Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes  https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/natural https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/field_of_dreams  

Die Hard Vs. Speed (Ep. 0012)

Great films are often the result of an evolution in narratives and storytelling. Die Hard and Speed were refreshing representations of a new wave in action films. Containerized environments, lovable and relatable action stars, and touches of comedy. Kyle, Drew, and Phil didn’t let this podcast go below 50 MPH. SPEED FIlm Summary: Los Angeles police officer Jack (Keanu Reeves) angers retired bomb squad member Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) by foiling his attempt at taking hostages. In revenge, Payne arms a bus with a bomb that will explode if it drops below 50 miles per hour. With the help of spunky passenger Annie (Sandra Bullock), Jack and his partner Harry (Jeff Daniels) try to save the people on the bus before the bomb goes off, while also trying to figure out how Payne is monitoring them. Rating: R (Violence|Language) Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: Jan de Bont Producer: Mark Gordon Writer: Graham Yost Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 1994  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015 Box Office (Gross USA): $121.2M Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/speed_1994)   DIE HARD FIlm Summary: New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there's no one to save the hostages -- but him. Rating: R Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action Original Language: English Director: John McTiernan Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver Writer: Roderick Thorp, Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza Release Date (Theaters): Jul 15, 1988  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015 Box Office (Gross USA): $81.0M Info Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/die_hard)

Gladiator Vs. Braveheart (Ep. 0011)

Episode Summary:  One could argue that films like Gladiator and Braveheart are basic examples of why movies exist. To transport the audience to a different time and place. These two films do that in a huge way. Gladiator and Braveheart are larger-than-life epics that set new standards for scale and grandiosity in a movie. Join the guys as they break down these two historical epics.    Film Summaries Gladiator: Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas. Rating: R (Intense Graphic Combat) Genre: Action, Drama, History, Adventure Original Language: English Director: Ridley Scott Producer: David Franzoni, Branko Lustig, Douglas Wick Writer: John Logan, David Franzoni, David Franzoni, William Nicholson Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2000  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013 Box Office (Gross USA): $187.7M Runtime: 2h 34m -Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gladiator_   Braveheart: Tells the story of the legendary thirteenth-century Scottish hero named William Wallace (Mel Gibson). Wallace rallies the Scottish against the English monarch and Edward I (Peter Hanly) after he suffers a personal tragedy by English soldiers. Wallace gathers a group of amateur warriors that is stronger than any English army. Rating: R (Brutal Medieval Warfare) Genre: War, Drama, Biography, History Original Language: English Director: Mel Gibson Producer: Bruce Davey, Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr. Writer: Randall Wallace Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 1995  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013 Box Office (Gross USA): $75.5M Runtime: 2h 57m -Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1065684-braveheart)  

The Godfather Vs. Goodfellas (Ep. 0010)

Episode Summary:  You cannot assess the history of cinema without assessing the history of mob films. Filmmakers discovering that crime offered a new narrative form changed the direction of movies to come. Today, the guys discuss two of the most celebrated mob movies in history. The Godfather is in the constant rotation of films that are considered “Best Of All Time”. Goodfellas builds on the modern formula that The Godfather builds by giving the “Behind The Music” of running an organized crime organization. Also, these films don’t lack star power. When we analyze the cast of each film, it reads like the yet-to-be-realized youth of The Godfather versus the tenured De Niro/Pesci cast that Scorsese had perfected chemistry with. Buckle up for our most detailed Movie Wars to date. And remember, "never rat on your friends and keep your mouth shut” as Jimmy Conway put it.   Movie Wars Scorecard    Best Top Bill Cast Best Supporting Cast Best dressed Best ending Which gang do you want to be in? Music Highest employer rating Scorsese Vs Coppola  Best mob portrayal  Horsehead in the bed or leave a dead man in a meat freezer truck? Worst beating? Henry Hill or Sonny Best Italian cooking   Film Summaries Goodfellas: A young man grows up in the mob and works very hard to advance himself through the ranks. He enjoys his life of money and luxury, but is oblivious to the horror that he causes. A drug addiction and a few mistakes ultimately unravel his climb to the top. Based on the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi. Rating: R Genre: Drama, Crime Original Language: English Director: Martin Scorsese Producer: Irwin Winkler Writer: Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1990  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008 Box Office (Gross USA): $42.6M -Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes, (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1032176-goodfellas)     The Godfather: Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, this mob drama, based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name, focuses on the powerful Italian-American crime family of Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When the don's youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), reluctantly joins the Mafia, he becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Although Michael tries to maintain a normal relationship with his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton), he is drawn deeper into the family business. Rating: R Genre: Drama, Crime Original Language: English Director: Francis Ford Coppola Producer: Albert S. Ruddy Writer: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, Mario Puzo Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 1972  Wide Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013 Box Office (Gross USA): $134.8M Runtime: 2h 57m -Summary courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godfather)

Heat Vs. The Departed (Ep. 0009)

Episode Summary:  Cops and robbers are a sacrament of film. Once crime was introduced to cinema, filmmakers and writers uncovered its narrative power. Like any popular subject matter, it tends to get bland as films present watered-down versions and half-assed attempts at telling a compelling crime story. Fast forward to 1995’s Heat. Heat is art meets action in the form of cops and robbers. Instead of your standard crime drama, Michael Mann serves up a delicious character study that focuses on the subtle variance in moral fibers that put good and bad on opposite sides. The movie breaks wide open when you realize that Vincent and McCauley are the same people. They just happen to fall on different sides of the law. The Departed seems like a Scorsese rerun on the outside. However, it doesn’t take long to see that it’s not his age-old formula of “3 hours of zooming in on the thing that makes a character unbearable.” Instead, he puts together a giant cast and shows his ability to tell a story across multiple points of view. In this episode, the guys discuss how simply having a giant, star-laden cast doesn’t guarantee a good film. It takes a director and a vision. These two films are the ultimate example of how to balance star power and story. As for randos, the guys discuss the preparation that actors went through, Michael Mann’s attention to character detail, and the artistic design of these powerhouse films.  Movie Wars Scorecard  Best Top Bill Cast Best Supporting Cast Least Bloated cast(best utilization of gigantic cast) Music Neil McCauley Vs. Frank Costello Gun Fight The award for best police work Best Criminal Enterprise Worse with relationships (all the men of both movies) Psycho Henchmen Wanegrow Vs. Mr. French Which gang do you want to join? Martin Scorsese vs. Michael Mann  Film Summaries Heat: Master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is trying to control the rogue actions of one of his men, while also planning one last big heist before retiring. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) attempts to track down McCauley as he deals with the chaos in his own life, including the infidelity of his wife (Diane Venora) and the mental health of his stepdaughter (Natalie Portman). McCauley and Hanna discover a mutual respect, even as they try to thwart each other's plans. Director: Michael Mann Producer: Art Linson, Michael Mann Writer: Michael Mann Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 1995 Wide Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2015 Box Office (Gross USA): $66.2M Runtime: 2h 50m -Summary courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/heat_1995) The Departed South Boston cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes under cover to infiltrate the organization of gangland chief Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). As Billy gains the mobster's trust, a career criminal named Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) infiltrates the police department and reports on its activities to his syndicate bosses. When both organizations learn they have a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin must figure out each other's identities to save their own lives. Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Material|Some Strong Sexual Content|Strong Brutal Violence) Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Crime Original Language: English Director: Martin Scorsese Producer: Brad Pitt,

No Country For Old Men Vs. There Will Be Blood (Ep. 0008)

Episode Summary: On episode 0008 of the Movie Wars Podcast, Kyle, Drew, and Phil dissect two modern masterpieces. These films duked it out for best film (No Country edged TWBB out) in 2008. Both qualify as American classics of masterful storytelling. These movies were even filmed in the same place. One of Kyle’s Rando’s covers how one film’s pyrotechnics halted the production of another. Kyle’s Randos cover original casting, pre-production mishaps with one of the film’s stars, notes from the books, and many more items. The story-hook focuses on how films were exploring dark and nihilistic themes comfortably after the tragic events of 911. Artists in all mediums weren’t shying away from dark themes. This created the opening for these two films. Not to mention that these two films were released the same year that Breaking Bad began its unprecedented run as, according to several, the best show ever made. Walter White took the concept of the antihero to new heights as do No Country For Old Men And There Will Be Blood. Anton Chigurh and Daniel Plainview are two of the darkest, complex, and interesting antiheroes to ever hit the big screen. The guys finish it out with their epic scorecard and personal picks to conclude the show. Movie Wars Score Card Categories for Episode 0008 Best Top Bill Cast Best Supporting Cast Best pretentious long title Best Music Best Dessert/Setting Bowling Pin Vs. Silenced Shotgun Sending your kid off to deaf school without telling him or flipping a coin that decides if you kill someone The Real "Best Picture" Best Mustache (Brolin Vs. DDL) Best Dark Comedy Best resourcefulness Best Time Transport Plot Summaries: No Country For Old Men: While out hunting, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds the grisly aftermath of a drug deal. Though he knows better, he cannot resist the cash left behind and takes it with him. The hunter becomes the hunted when a merciless killer named Chigurh (Javier Bardem) picks up his trail. Also looking for Moss is Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), an aging lawman who reflects on a changing world and a dark secret of his own, as he tries to find and protect Moss. -Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_country_for_old_men) Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Producer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Scott Rudin Writer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 2007 Wide Box Office (Gross USA): $74.3M Runtime: 2h 2m Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_country_for_old_men) There Will Be Blood: Silver miner Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) leads a hardscrabble life with his son, H.W. (Dillon Freasier). When he hears about oil oozing from the ground near the Western town of Little Boston, Daniel takes his son on a mission to find their fortune. Daniel makes his lucky strike and becomes a self-made tycoon but, as his fortune grows, he deviates into moral bankruptcy. Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Producer: Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Lupi, JoAnne Sellar Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson Release Date (Theaters): Jan 25, 2008 Wide Box Office (Gross USA): $40.2M Runtime: 2h 38m -Information, courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/there_will_be_blood)

12 di 14