Episodes
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We were long overdue for another episode featuring fan and podcast-favourite Nic Cage, and what better film for discussion than the much anticipated LONGLEGS? We're going to give a quick rundown of recent Nic Cage films, as well as director Osgood Perkins filmography before we jump headfirst into the feature film. We have lots to say for a film with lots of genres - we think there's a little something for everyone here. Get yourself comfortable and listen in!
Also, go watch the movie first! We don't hold back on spoilers in our discussion (we give plenty of warning in the episode).
Longlegs (2024)
directed by: Osgood Perkins
starring: Maika Monroe - Nicolas Cage - Blair Underwood - Alicia Witt
genres: horror - crime - thriller
runtime: 101 min
REEL FILM CHRONICLES
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Possibly the first western film we've covered on the podcast, and who better than to guide us into the genre than Kevin Costner, with his latest ambitious multi-part movie project? We give a quick rundown of Costner's acting and directorial efforts, and our experiences with the western genre before we kick our spurs and discuss the movie at length - which is mostly what we enjoyed about the film.
* Spoiler warning given during the episode, but we don't hold back during our conversation here. *
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024)
directed by: Kevin Costner
starring: Kevin Costner - Sienna Miller - Sam Worthington - Jena Malone - Owen Crow Shoe
genres: western
runtime: 181 minutesWebsite: Reel Film Chronicles
Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB
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From Guy Ritchie, the master of ungentlemanly filmmaking, comes The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a heartwarming tale about a band of friends bound together through an unshakeable bond: a shared compulsion to kill Nazis. Based loosely (just ever so loosely) on a "true" story (we cannot stress just how loosely this movie was based on actual events), the movie follows Superman, Jack Reacher, and friends as they set out to cripple Nazi U-boat operations in the north Atlantic to give England the breathing room it needs to fight back against Hitler's advancing cronies the best way one can: by organizing a heist. Just a great, big, old Nazi-killing heist. As with any great heist, nothing goes to plan, until it does, then it doesn't, but then it does, and a lot of Nazis die in the end, which if we're being honest, is probably the best way for any heist to end. So join us as we travel back in time to World War II (not literally, of course - that's impossible as far as you know) to explore Guy Ritchie's latest movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare to see if this is a return to form and the trusted Ritchie formula for on-screen hijinks. And if not, just through sheer law of averages, one of the fifteen movies he's releasing this year is bound to be to your liking.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
directed by: Guy Ritchie
starring: Henry Cavill - Eiza González - Alan Ritchson - Henry Golding
genres: action - war - drama
runtime: 120 minutesOperation Postmaster (Wikipedia)
Website: Reel Film Chronicles
Movie Links: Letterboxd - IMDb - TMDB
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Do you have what it takes to make it epic? Well, we certainly try, at least! We sing the praises of this latest instalment in George Miller's Mad Max Saga by delving into everything that we enjoyed about this bombastic and layered action film. From the acting, the special effects, the creative names, the incredible soundtrack, the story, characters and more, we also take time to appreciate how it fits perfectly in with it's sequel film Fury Road (which came out nine (!!) years ago. By the finish, we gave our ratings for this film, but also each Mad Max entry.
This episode is not to be missed!
* Spoilers for all Mad Max movies, including Furiosa, are contained within. *
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
directed by: George Miller
starring: Anya Taylor-Joy - Chris Hemsworth - Tom Burke - Alyla Browne - Lachy Hulme
genres: action - adventure - science-fiction
runtime: 149minreelfilmchronicles.com
Letterboxd | IMDb
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We delve into this Amazon produced remake of a fan favorite: ROAD HOUSE. We offer our take on this movie without the nostalgia glasses that many may have, as Brian missed the original film entirely, and Nathan watched it just before jumping into this new iteration.
We start the episode giving a rundown of director Doug Liman's filmography, then jump into the film (with spoilers for both this one and the original throughout). We'll explore the characters, the acting, the action and visual effects, all set against the backdrop of what could effectively be a "direct to video" film starring one of our generation's greatest actors.
Road House (2024)
directed by: Doug Liman
starring: Jake Gyllenhaal - Daniela Melchior - Billy Magnussen - Jessica Williamsgenres: thriller - action
runtime: 121 minutes
Reel Film Chronicles
Letterboxd - IMDb
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Caught in the shadow of a cinematic legacy or stepping into the light on her own terms? Caitlin Cronenberg's HUMANE marks her entrance into the feature film arena, and we're here to dissect just how the threads of family renown and nepotism weave through her narrative tapestry.
The heart of our episode beats strong with a foray into the film, a story that boldly navigates the murky junction of family ties, environmental disaster, governmental tendrils, and moral ambiguity. Emily Hampshire's stirring portrayal anchors the tale, with Canadian stars like Jay Baruchel and Enrico Colantoni adding layers to this complex narrative. Whether you're a first-time viewer or a critique-hardened cinephile, the film's emotional and thematic depth is sure to strike a chord, and we're here to analyze every note.
As the credits roll on our cinematic discussion, we engage in the "ultimate" ratings guessing game, which you can play along with while listening. The conversation unfolds into a broader meditation on the personal journey of evaluating art, and the Cronenberg name becomes a lens through which we ponder the unpredictable alchemy of filmmaking success. Join us for a vibrant exploration of film, family, and the enduring question of what it means to make a mark in the shadow of giants.
HUMANE (2024)
directed by: Caitlin Cronenberg
starring: Jay Baruchel - Emily Hampshire - Sebastian Chacon - Alanna Balegenres: science fiction - horror - thriller
runtime: 93 minwww.reelfilmchronicles.comLetterboxd | IMDb
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This podcast is a tomb. In the Year of our Lord 1997, a movie was unleashed on an unsuspecting population. A movie so vile, so terrifying, so violent, so gruesome that it borrowed its way into our collective conscience, wrapping its tendrils around our cerebral cortex, refusing to let us forget her. That movie was Event Horizon. A sci-fi-horror staple for those in the know, it became a beloved cult classic, even (or maybe especially) among those of us who were traumatized at a young age by the grisly imagery and claustrophobic atmosphere. Event Horizon wound up being one of those lighting-in-a-bottle (or hellfire-in-a-spaceship) situations, with a unique concept executed to perfection with an all-star cast led by Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill on a spaceship set that looked like the design had been pulled from the deranged minds of Clive Barker's Cenobites. Violent murders, slow descents into madness, and a spaceship that may or may not have travelled to the literal incarnation of Hell are all hallmarks of one of the most idiosyncratic and memorable entries into both the sci-fi and horror movie pantheons. The choice laid before you now is this; listen to this episode of The Real Film Chronicles and delve into the twisted world of Event Horizon or save yourself... from Hell!
Event Horizon (1997)
| directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson
| starring: Laurence Fishburne - Sam Neill - Kathleen Quinlan - Joely Richardson
| science fiction - mystery - horror
| 95 minReel Film ChroniclesLetterboxd
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We're happy to be diving deep into Dune Part Two, the eagerly anticipated sequel with a feature-length discussion on everything we loved about the movie. We also talk about differences with the book (but we don't go deep there, and try to avoid book spoilers).
Dune: Part Two (2024)
| directed by: Denis Villeneuve
| starring: Timothée Chalamet - Zendaya - Rebecca Ferguson - Javier Bardem - Josh Brolin - Austin Butler
| adventure - science fiction
| 167 minhttps://reelfilmchronicles.comLetterboxd
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SHED THE LIES
Join your intrepid hosts as we delve into this 2023 Netflix crime thriller - a surprisingly good (well, it surprised us at least) film that offers more than any description or trailer could provide. We're fans of all the actors here, and we fanboy over Benicio del Toro and his burning performance here, and talk about how the film world needs more Alicia Silverstone.
REPTILE (2023)
| directed by: Grant Singer
| starring: Benicio del Toro - Justin Timberlake - Alicia Silverstone - Michael Pitt
| crime
| 136minhttps://reelfilmchronicles.comhttps://boxd.it/wKjc
* Rated explicit/mature for language and subject matter.
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Welcome to the world of The Killer and watch as obsessive, perfectionist filmmaker David Fincher tells the story of an obsessive, perfectionist killer living out his either his worst nightmare or darkest fantasy: his life spiraling out of control after an extra ruins his perfect shot then going on a bloody rampage to get revenge against everybody who has ever wronged him. If I were one of the executives at Fox who had anything to do with Alien 3, I'd probably sleep with at least one eye open from now on. With The Killer, Fincher continues his tradition of protagonists who are weird, misanthropic, and/or emotionally detached loners, live by a very specific set of rules, and wax philosophical about humanity's inhumanity in endless voiceover. A self-described unremarkable man who is exceptional at his job through endless, obsessive practice and meticulous attention to detail, the titular killer is perhaps the most appropriately autobiographical self-insert character that Fincher could have imagined. With murder, mayhem, and a shady underworld of secret assassins (no, not THAT world of secret assassins), and meditations on how the thin veil of civility that is society barely conceals the base instincts of the human race at bay and our most cherished ideals are all lies carefully disseminated to help the powerful exploit the masses, The Killer is sure to delight viewers of all ages. So join your intrepid hosts as we delve into the world of The Killer, explore the latest twisted entry into David Fincher's pantheon, and try our best to avoid ending up on any hit lists of our own.
THE KILLER (2023)
| directed by: David Fincher
| starring: Michael Fassbender - Tilda Swinton - Charles Parnell - Arliss Howard - Kerry O’Malley - Sophie Charlotte
| Thriller - Crime
| 118 minhttps://reelfilmchronicles.comhttps://letterboxd.com/ryebone/list/reel-film-chronicles-podcast/
https://letterboxd.com/film/the-killer-2023/
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A thick mist blankets the countryside as two riders cut their way through the waterlogged landscape, man and beast alike soaked by a slanted rain as ignorant of mercy as it was of the difference between pleasure and pain, redemption and damnation. There was only the fall. Then, a commotion. A man and woman hunted by a group of men, unaware that their role would soon be reversed from predator to prey. One of the riders dismounts, his boots splashing in the puddles, creating tsunamis in miniature. Time slows. The men turn their weapons on the intruder, irritated at the interruption of their sport, but to no avail. Even unarmed, the masked interloper makes quick work of his opponents, moving faster than his opponents can react, disarming and leaving them to wallow in their misery in the mud, and the dirt, and the rain. Always and still, there was the rain.
The year is 2001. The movie is Brotherhood of the Wolf. The result is a cult classic in the making. Based - very loosely as is usually the case - on actual events, the movie tells the story of two unlikely friends sent to solve the mystery of reports of a vicious beast that is terrorizing the French countryside. For sheer value, one can hardly do better, as Brotherhood of the Wolf is really (at least) five movies in one: an historical epic, a romance, a detective story, a political drama, and an action movie. A story that involves secret cults, bone swords, brothels, royal politics, evil deformed appendages, and taxidermy, Brotherhood of the Wolf is a very specific sort of fever dream that could only have sprung forth from the collective consciousness of the early 2000s. As brazen as it is inventive, Brotherhood of the Wolf is nothing if not unique, and truly one of those films that stands alone almost as a genre unto itself. So join your intrepid hosts at the Reel Film Chronicles as they take you on a journey into the world of 18th Century France to unravel the mystery of the beast of Gévaudan.
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Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
| directed by: Christophe Gans
| starring: Samuel Le Bihan - - Mark Dacascos - Vincent Cassel - Émilie Dequenne - Monica Bellucci
| Adventure - Action - Horror - History
| 143 min
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https://reelfilmchronicles.com
Le Pacte des loups: https://boxd.it/21OY
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ADULTHOOD. Warning: Side effects may include drowsiness, swelling, loss of vision and/or hearing, memory loss, crippling self doubt, depression, memory loss, the realization that no adult ever had things figured out, waxing nostalgic for the way things used to be, trouble breathing, having to figure out stupid stuff like mortgages, memory loss, actually enjoying going furniture shopping, the uncontrollable urge to criticize younger generations, awkwardly fumbling your way through numerous social events when you'd rather be at home, drifting apart from friends and loved ones with the occasional reconciliation, memory loss, the uncontrollable urge to criticize older generations, and obsessing over those small parts of your life where you seem to have some semblance of control just for the slightest chance at experiencing something real.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some adults. If you notice any other effects, tough luck, there's no one you can call and you're on your own, because nobody else has their deal figured out either. Take only as prescribed. Results may vary.
Join your intrepid hosts in this exciting episode of the Reel Film Chronicles as they discuss the 2023 film The Adults, which explores the complex relationship of a trio of siblings trying to navigate life in the real world in a slice-of-life format that is in turns heart wrenching and heartwarming.
The Adults (2023)
| directed by: Dustin Guy Defa
| starring: Michael Cera - Hannah Gross - Sophia Lillis
| Comedy - Drama
| 91 minhttps://reelfilmchronicles.com
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In this very special episode, your intrepid hosts dive into the depths of cinematic disappointment as they unveil their Bottom Five Films of 2023. Welcome once again to our annual rundown of the cinematic catastrophes that left us bewildered, disappointed, and perhaps a little angry over the past year. From cringe-inducing sci-fi flops to poorly executed franchise entries, and forgettable thrillers, the bottom five list represents a cautionary tale of what happens when creative vision goes awry or when the alchemy of storytelling fails to transmute into cinematic gold.
This is where, as the saying goes, we wade through the murky waters of mediocrity, and we mark the passing of another rotation around our nearest star with a grimace and a shake of the head, as we recall the films that failed to leave any positive impression on us or left us disappointed. This annual tradition serves as a solemn reminder of the diverse landscape of cinema, where not every endeavor reaches the heights of greatness, and some inevitably crash and burn in spectacular fashion.
So join us, The Reel Film Chronicles, as we reflect on the unfortunate missteps and cinematic misfires of the past year. Whether you cringe in solidarity or vehemently disagree with our choices, your engagement fuels our passion for discussing the art of filmmaking, even when it's less than stellar. We thank you for enduring this journey with us, whether it's out of morbid curiosity or a shared disdain for the cinematic failures of 2023.https://reelfilmchronicles.com
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In this very special episode, your intrepid hosts run down their Top 10 Films of 2023. Welcome once again to our annual rundown of our top 10 films, as we review the movies that moved, entertained, awed, or otherwise inspired us over the past year. From mega blockbusters to independent dramas, established action franchises to emerging horror icons, giant radioactive lizards to famous historical figures, there's a little something for everybody. This is where, as the saying goes, the rubber meets the road, and we mark the passing of another rotation around our nearest star with a look back at the cinematic stories that left their impression on us. This annual tradition is a way for us to take some time to reflect on a few of our new favourite films and share our love of movies with our listeners, hopefully inspiring those of you on your own film journey with a mix of the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of the undiscovered. So listen along with The Reel Film Chronicles, and maybe discover a few new favourite movies as well. Or hate listen with complete and utter disdain for all of our picks for 2023's top 10. Either way it boosts our numbers, so it's all good in the end, and we thank you for your patronage (or anti-patronage, as the case may be).https://reelfilmchronicles.com
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What do you do when an unstoppable, evil army threatens your peaceful village? Why, you scour the countryside to retain the services of a small group of reluctant warriors with troubled back stories looking to make up for the sins of the past. And if it's your peaceful moon that's threatened, well then you scour the galaxy for your group of misfit warriors to defend you and your peaceful townsfolk. Hey, it worked for Akira Kurosawa. Rebel Moon, the latest action extravaganza from Zack Snyder, draws on some heavy inspiration from the likes of such classic and beloved films as Seven Samurai, Star Wars, and Eight Legged Freaks to bring you a story only Zack Snyder could tell. Filled to the brim with mythological creatures; sweaty, shirtless men; and broken warriors with checkered pasts looking for one last chance at redemption, Rebel Moon is nothing if not ambitious, seeking to stake a claim among the pantheon of great science fiction movies. In this episode, your intrepid hosts provide their insightful insights about Rebel Moon and whether it lived up (or down) to the hype. So grab your laser guns and definitely-not-lightsabers-but-also-definitely-not-NOT-lightsabers and strap yourselves in for a journey into a galaxy far, far away (but definitely not THAT galaxy far, far away).Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)
| directed by: Zack Snyder
| starring: Sofia Boutella - Michiel Huisman - Ed Skrein - Djimon Hounsou - Bae Doona - Staz Nair - Charlie Hunnam - Ray Fisher
| Science Fiction - Drama - Action
| 134 minhttps://reelfilmchronicles.com
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Extraction 2 (2023)
| directed by: Sam Hargrave
| starring: Chris Hemsworth - Golshifteh Farahani - Adam Bessa - Tornike Gogrichiani
| Action - Thriller
| 123 min
https://reelfilmchronicles.com -
The smoke clears. The dust settles. For one, brief moment, it seems as though the stillness of the air could be a tranquil silence. A peaceful rearrangement of particles. That rare alignment of the cosmos that grants those most rare moments of serenity, where the world is in harmony, and the forces of nature and man align. But then, the moment passes. As your gaze trails ever upwards, your eyes slowly taking in the sight in front of you. Slowly, so that your brain has time to process the signals being sent to it. To try to make sense of this scaly monolith. This prehistoric behemoth. This harbinger of death.
Godzilla.
For everything there is a season, and for every generation there is a Godzilla. Luckily for us, Godzilla Minus One (like its most recent predecessor, Shin Godzilla) has emerged as a unique voice, shepherding both us and its protagonist into a new golden age. Unlike the recent spate of Hollywood Godzilla-verse offerings, which are, at best, popcorn flicks, Godzilla Minus One delivers not only on the action (which, again, unlike its Hollywood counterparts, is clearly lit and easy to follow) but also on the social allegory (which is woefully absent from his current incarnation in Hollywood. Under the careful watch of Toho, the studio that has curated the story of everybody's favourite giant lizard for nearly 70 years, Godzilla Minus One at once takes Godzilla in a bold and engaging new direction while remaining true and paying homage to a long and rich cinematic history.
Originally a metaphor for the horrors of nuclear war, Godzilla turned out to be an unexpected entry into the pantheon of Japanese cinema that tried to make sense of the destruction and death that marked the end of World War II. Since then, Godzilla has been reimagined and reborn time and time again, as a campy kaiju combatant, a gargantuan anti-hero protecting the people of earth from threats even larger than himself, a horror icon on par with Dracula or Frakenstein, a literal larger-than-life action star, and full circle to as a metaphor to explore the social impact of new horrors and catastrophes in a way that can only be achieved with the help of a lizard the size of a skyscraper.
As portrayed in Godzilla Minus One, Godzilla is at once a stunning metaphor for the unique horrors wrought by a nuclear war but also as a powerful symbol that forces the human characters to confront issues of heroism, sacrifice, the value of human life, the failures of leadership, and what it means to reckon not only with putting their lives back together after a devastating war, especially dealing with the residual guilt and shame of being on the losing side of a war. The more sobering truth, of course, is that war has no winners, only survivors. But Godzilla Minus One uses the subsequent attack (with Godzilla's "heat ray" perhaps the most terrifying it has ever appeared on screen, directly evoking images of nuclear holocaust) to explore how survivors of a war, both veterans and civilians, process their trauma and grief and try to make sense of the bloodshed and chaos in a movie that is at once thrilling as it is contemplative and philosophical.
So listen in as your intrepid hosts explore Godzilla Minus One, the latest movie in a series so long-lived and resilient that it's rivaled only by good old 007 himself, James Bond. Whether you're new to the Godzilla phenomenon or you've been a fan since the beginning, we hope you'll enjoy our usual level of insight as we discuss Godzilla Minus One.
Godzilla Minus One (2023)
| directed by: Takashi Yamazaki
| starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki - Hidetaka Yoshioka - Minami Hamabe - Kuranosuke Sasaki
| Horror - Action - Science Fiction
| 125 min
https://reelfilmchronicles.com -
"Now I have a machine gun. Ho, ho, ho." Often imitated but never duplicated, Die Hard has withstood the test of time to become firmly established in that hallowed pantheon of All-Time Classic Action Films. Its protagonist, John McClane, the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time, has become an archetypal action movie hero, the everyman answer to the muscle-bound question posed by the likes of Schwarzenegger and Stallone. Played to perfection by Bruce Willis, McClane was relatable precisely because he wasn't indestructible and showed real vulnerability, both physical and emotional, despite his gruff and sometimes disheveled exterior. Forever the fly in the ointment of any thief or terrorist who happened to pick the wrong building, airport, or city to steal from or terrorize (not that there's ever a right target for such activities), McClane was somebody the audience could cheer for because despite his flaws, he would always fight to the end. No matter how many times he was battered, bruised, beaten, or knocked down, he would pick himself up, bandage those wounds, and walk, limp, or drag himself to the next fight. Long before Captain America vocalized his willingness to go toe to toe with his opponents, McClane was already doing it all day, and if I may say so myself, with a much better catch phrase. Stuck in a skyscraper with a surprisingly diverse group of terrorists, John McClane's quest to free the hostages and rescue his estranged wife has become so iconic that the concept of "Die Hard in/on a Unique Location/Vehicle" has become a genre unto itself. So come out to the coast and have a few laughs with your intrepid hosts as they discuss the enduring legacy of Die Hard just in time for the holidays. No matter where you fall in the debate about its validity as a Christmas movie, there's never a bad time of year to revisit the action movie that most action movies wish they could be when they grow up. And if it's your first time watching Die Hard, then welcome to the party pal! Die Hard (1988)| directed by: John McTiernan| starring: Bruce Willis - Alan Rickman - Bonnie Bedelia - Reginald VelJohnson| Thriller - Action| 132 minhttps://reelfilmchronicles.com
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Hang on to your webs spider-boys and spider-girls, because in this episode, we're swinging out Across the Spiderverse. In this follow-up to the critically acclaimed and beloved Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales is grappling with how the consequences of being a hero affect him personally as well as those around him. Building on the frenetic animation style of the first film, Across the Spiderverse draws audiences in with a kaleidoscopic and vibrant visual approach that will delight and engage everyone, except for those with severe epilepsy who will likely be sent into a seizure during the opening titles alone. Taking inspiration from the Spider-Man comics (and we do mean every Spider-Man comic ever) along with every piece of Spider-Man media known to exist, Across the Spiderverse is at once a sprawling epic adventure with multiversal stakes and an incredibly focused personal story of growth, belonging, and morality perfectly woven together that will take at least ten rewatches to catch every little reference and easter egg. So slap on your spandex bodysuit, grab your mask, and join The Reel Film Chronicles as we explore the latest adventure from your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Folks. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)| directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers| starring: Shameik Moore - Hailee Steinfeld - Jason Schwartzman - Oscar Isaac - Brian Tyree-Henry - Luna Lauren Velez| Animation - Adventure - Science-Fiction - Action| 140 minhttps://reelfilmchronicles.com
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A man out of time must summon the courage to save the life of a young child while battling humankind's most ancient of enemies: the dinosaur. Also, gross bugs that crawl into bodily orifices while you're sleeping. Though a box office flop, the movie 65 serves as a cinematic curiosity: a sci-fi genre film with a bizzare premise that tackles its subject matter with absolute seriousness. For all of its nonsensical plot points and, frankly, bewildering world- and character-building, 65 remains steadfast and laser-focused on its mission. Though what that mission might have been has likely been forever lost to the cutting room floor. Still, if you're looking for a good time where a space-man fights dinosaurs with his lasergun, then you may have just stumbled upon the masterpiece to end all masterpieces. So listen along as we explore 65, the viability of using paprika as a communication medium, the relative effectiveness of small, blinking lights as a security system, and the potential qualifications for being a long-haul space trucker.
The Creator (2023)
| directed by: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
| starring: Adam Driver - Ariana Greenblatt
| Science Fiction - Adventure - Action
| 92 min
https://reelfilmchronicles.com
* Rated explicit for language. - Show more
