It’s our first episode covering the acclaimed IDW Transformers series, More Than Meets the Eye, by James Roberts. We discuss the core cast, pacing difficulties, horror movie monsters, Star Trek away missions, the Worst Decepticons in the World and what Ben believes to be the book’s greatest triumph.
Continue reading More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 2: MTMTE Issues 1-8
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
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)
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
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.
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
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
As I have probably mentioned a few times (if you are a semi-frequent reader or listener of the website), I am an English teacher in the Bronx. My students have to pass a series of state exams in order to graduate from high school. One of them is an English Language Arts exam which contains an essay prompt that asks them to analyze the “central idea” of a text. To the state of New York, “central idea” is the life lesson of a text. It is a childlike way of approaching art.
I say all of this to say that this is what I think of when I think of Ted Lasso. Not only could one easily analyze the “central idea” this show’s episodes, I would say that it almost feels like this show’s purpose IS to give life lessons. It feels like an after-school special that is seeking to spoon-feed ADULTS lessons about the right way to live their lives. Listen, we all need to turn our brains off sometimes and watch some crap. What does it say though that this particular piece of crap because such a hit and awards powerhouse? (Nothing good.) And are there glimpses of something better throughout? (Not really.)
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
Succession was The Last Television Show, and now it is over. And I am sad.
The Reel World 