More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 3: Revenge of the Fallen

In which we discuss embarrassing reviews from our younger selves, the 2008 writers strike’s impact on one of the worst major movies ever released, Michael Bay Unchained, giant robot balls and of course a Magic Sock Full of Matrix Dust.

Continue reading More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 3: Revenge of the Fallen

Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: What Lies Beneath

Jerome and Brian end their look at Harrison Ford’s filmography with a discussion of his only horror movie to date. They discuss the greatness of Michelle Pfeiffer and why this movie is a great illustration of gaslighting.

Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: What Lies Beneath

Ranking the Jason Bourne Films

The Jason Bourne series is one of those things that had a mostly bad influence on lots of other movies and mostly was a good example of how a series of films could suffer from diminishing returns as it kept going. But I will always have a deep fondness for this series overall and for a few of the films in particular. It was one of the best showcases for Matt Damon as a star.

 

Continue reading Ranking the Jason Bourne Films

Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: Presumed Innocent

Jerome and Brian only wish they had as shocking of an ending as the Harrison Ford movie they’re discussing this week. It’s Presumed Innocent, and what a supporting cast. Find out whether Harrison Ford’s hair is maybe just a little too short and whether this turned out to be a miscast or not.

Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: Presumed Innocent

More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 1: Transformers (2007)

In which we discuss the seeming improbability of Michael Bay agreeing to helm this franchise, everything revolving around a horny teenager, characters arriving in pairs, deploying Megatron so late and Matt’s potentially controversial take on the best handling of a Transformer in a Michael Bay movie.

Continue reading More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 1: Transformers (2007)

Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: The Mosquito Coast

Jerome and Brian continue their look at Harrison Ford and discuss a movie Harrison Ford probably should have won an Oscar, the 1986 movie version of The Mosquito Coast, not to be confused with the Apple series. They also discuss the greatness of River Phoenix and the advantages of bringing ice to the jungle.

Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: The Mosquito Coast

Ranking the Warren Beatty Films

Warren Beatty is one of the most fascinating  stars in the history of Hollywood. I have found him to be as compelling as any major movie star that has ever existed and always grateful to get opportunities to explore him deeper and see new layers to his work in front of and behind the camera.

This 2022 interview response by Beatty was so illuminating for understanding the conflict and tension in all Beatty movies. Beatty is the ultimate narcissist who desperately wants to conceal his own narcissism. He is embarrassed by how essential narcissism is to being a genuine Hollywood star. Everything Beatty touches becomes worth examining because of this dynamic especially when he is firmly the actual director of his movies. And it has led to some truly great works of art.

But first. His one unforgivably bad film.

Continue reading Ranking the Warren Beatty Films

More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 0: Introductions

In this introductory mini-episode, Ben & Matt talk through their mission statement for the podcast as well as their history with the Transformers franchise.

If you’d like to watch and read along with us then you need to watch Transformers (2007) before the next episode, and read More Than Meets the Eye Issues 1-8 before Episode 2.

Continue reading More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 0: Introductions

Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: Witness

Jerome and Brian begin their month long look at Harrison Ford with the only film he was nominated for an Oscar, Witness.

Find out what makes this an almost underrated movie and why we probably should talk more about Peter Weir. They describe the greatness of both the world building first act and climaxing in the third act.

Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Harrison Ford Month: Witness

Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Wo)Man: Michelle Yeoh Bonus Episode

Brian and Jerome have wrapped on the Ip Man series, and what better way to end the month than with a special bonus “Easter” episode. We celebrate Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar win by briefly taking a look at two of her sequels, “Royal Warriors” and “Heroic Trio 2: Executioners“. One is really good. One is not. It’s a fun way to end “Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man” month.

Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Wo)Man: Michelle Yeoh Bonus Episode