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.
Jerome Cusson and Kevin Ford have been our point people for covering Barry on the website. Make sure you check out their coverage!
Jerome and Kevin Present: Barry (Season 1)
Jerome and Kevin Present: Barry (Season 2)
xXx has taken an unlikely path towards franchisedom. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say that the franchise ended up in a radically different location than planned.
The series started in a downswing period for the James Bond franchise, and it seemed like someone wondered, “What if we made an American James Bond and combined him with the X-Games?” and then boom: new franchise.
They even found the perfect lead: Vin Diesel, fresh off the first Fast and Furious film. The only problem was, much like the sequel to Fast and Furious, Diesel refused to make it over script issues that they would not change on his behalf. Again like the Fast franchise, the studio eventually came back to Diesel when they knew it was better off with him and gave him much power over what happens on screen.
As a result, we have an endlessly uneven but sincerely fascinating in-progress franchise centered around one of the handful of new Hollywood stars from the 21st century.
Jerome and Kevin are back with another discussion of a show who died too soon. The facts are these. Pushing Daisies started as a moderate hit on ABC in the fall of 2007 but had to shut down early due to a Writer’s Strike (studios not compensating their writers properly).
Although the show came back, all of the momentum was gone after being off for a year. Therefore, after 22 episodes, no more Pushing Daises and no Piemaker to bring them back with a touch. Enjoy the discussion, and we promise, only minimal smooching.
Continue reading Jerome & Kevin Present – Cancelled Too Soon: Pushing Daisies
It’s the last week of Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man Month and suffice to say, Jerome and Brian are feeling a little burned out on Ip Man.
Ip Man is now dealing with a cancer diagnosis while traveling to San Francisco to find a school for his son. He deals with racism and prejudice while kicking ass when he needs to. It’s the last film in the franchise and now Bruce Lee has become involved with the storyline as well. Is there a lot going on? Yes. Do plotlines get left behind once again? Yes. But the one shining light in this film is the performance by Scott Adkins, no fat suit needed.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man: Episode 4
It’s Week 3 of Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man Month, and Jerome and Brian are starting to notice diminishing returns in the Ip Man franchise.
It’s the third movie and Sammo Hung is out, but MIKE TYSON is in?! That’s right, a 3-minute fight between Ip Man and Mike Tyson that ultimately means nothing in the long run. Once again, it’s multiple storylines that get abandoned half way through the movie for some other plot line.
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man: Episode 3
It’s Week 2 of Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man as Jerome and Brian watch Ip Man 2, also known as Rocky IV? A sequel that improves in many areas from the set design, story, and better fight sequences than the first. Sammo Hung plays a major role in this and not just behind the camera doing the fight choreography. Is the jury ‘hung’ on this one?
Continue reading Pantheon Plus – Punchy Kicky (Ip) Man: Episode 2
The Reel World 