Ourtwocents Podcast

Adonis Creed must contend with a new challenger to his heavyweight throne: Ivan Drago's son, Viktor. This week, the co-hosts heap praise on Michael B. Jordan for a lively and piercing performance as he is flanked by the talented Tessa Thompson and experienced Sylvester Stallone. Though the cinematography is stellar at times, a simplistic story and questionable motivations make for a frustrating film that seemed to have all the pieces ready-made for a classic. Steven Caple Jr. does an apt job in this follow-up, but it ultimately fails to reach the heights of its predecessor. 

Four widows must ban together after the death of their husbands and execute a final heist on their own. The duo dig deep into the stellar performances, notably those of Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki and Daniel Kaluuya. Praise is also given to McQueen for his efficient story-telling and unique direction. Lastly, the co-hosts contemplate the one missing piece of this crime thriller, debating whether the social commentary outshone the more classic thriller aspects that audiences might have been expecting.

Four widows must ban together after the death of their husbands and execute a final heist on their own. Admir and Chris dig deep into the stellar performances, notably those of Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki and Daniel Kaluuya. Praise is also given to McQueen for his efficient story-telling and unique direction. Lastly, the co-hosts contemplate the one missing piece of this crime thriller, debating whether the social commentary outshone the more classic thriller aspects that audiences might have been expecting.

Jackson Maine teeters on the edge of alcoholism as he discovers and loves a young female singer. Admir and Chris discuss Bradley Cooper's great directorial debut. Special attention is given to the performances of Cooper and Gaga, both of whom are challenged in unique ways. The organic writing and heartfelt music also take center stage through Cooper's delightful direction.The boys also debate if the critical plaudits the film has received are merited, neither able to convince the other.

Jackson Maine teeters on the edge of alcoholism as he discovers and loves a young female singer. Admir and Chris discuss Bradley Cooper's great directorial debut. Special attention is given to the performances of Cooper and Gaga, both of whom are challenged in unique ways. The organic writing and heartfelt music also take center stage through Cooper's delightful direction.The boys also debate if the critical plaudits the film has received are merited, neither able to convince the other.

Admir and Chris discuss a film that paradoxically left them wanting more, yet left them emotionally fulfilled as they left the theater. Bryan Singer directs a film whose flaws are mediated by Queen anthems, colorful montages and an exceptional performance by Rami Malek. Polarizing opinions are expected but the lasting images of the film cannot be understated.

Admir and Chris discuss a film that paradoxically left them wanting more, yet left them emotionally fulfilled as they left the theater. Bryan Singer directs a film whose flaws are mediated by Queen anthems, colorful montages and an exceptional performance by Rami Malek. Polarizing opinions are expected but the lasting images of the film cannot be understated.

Set in 1990s LA, Mid90s follows 13-year old Stevie as he navigates his troubled life with the help of newfound friends. Admir and Chris discuss a film that will catch many by surprise, not least fans of the director. In his directorial debut, Hill skillfully grounds a coming-of-age story in the backdrop of 90s nostalgia. He excels in capturing the confusion of adolescence, though at times, forgoes character depth and motivation in the process. Nonetheless, the film resonated deeply with both reviewers.

Set in 1990s LA, Mid90s follows 13-year old Stevie as he navigates his troubled life with the help of newfound friends. Admir and Chris discuss a film that will catch many by surprise, not least fans of the director. In his directorial debut, Hill skillfully grounds a coming-of-age story in the backdrop of 90s nostalgia. He excels in capturing the confusion of adolescence, though at times, forgoes character depth and motivation in the process. Nonetheless, the film resonated deeply with both reviewers.

Continuing the story of the first Halloween (1976), the new chapter in the famed mythos of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode reunites the two after 40 years.    Admir and Chris discuss a sequel that pays homage to its roots while looking forward and adapting its story for a 2018 audience. The boys discuss how the film successfully manages to bring the Myers character into 2018 while also realistically maturing Laurie Strode, a task performed effortlessly by Jamie Lee Curtis. David Gordon Green is praised for large portions of his directing but some criticism is laid at his feet for some cheap and lazy cliché moments. 

Continuing the story of the first Halloween (1976), the new chapter in the famed mythos of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode reunites the two after 40 years.    Admir and Chris discuss a sequel that pays homage to its roots while looking forward and adapting its story for a 2018 audience. The boys discuss how the film successfully manages to bring the Myers character into 2018 while also realistically maturing Laurie Strode, a task performed effortlessly by Jamie Lee Curtis. David Gordon Green is praised for large portions of his directing but some criticism is laid at his feet for some cheap and lazy cliché moments. 

Set throughout the 1960s, First Man tells the story of Neil Armstrong's ascent to leading the Apollo 11 mission. Within that decade, the audience gets to see the failure and hardship that surrounded Neil, his family and his fellow astronauts-in-training. Damien Chazelle directs the highly anticipated biopic that attempts to humanize the myth of Neil Armstrong while also celebrating and showcasing the magnitude of the Apollo 11 mission. Admir and Chris evaluate Ryan Gosling's performance as a "quiet actor" once again, praise the visual effects and applaud Chazelle's intention of grounding the story in humanity.

Set throughout the 1960s, First Man tells the story of Neil Armstrong's ascent to leading the Apollo 11 mission. Within that decade, the audience gets to see the failure and hardship that surrounded Neil, his family and his fellow astronauts-in-training. Damien Chazelle directs the highly anticipated biopic that attempts to humanize the myth of Neil Armstrong while also celebrating and showcasing the magnitude of the Apollo 11 mission. Admir and Chris evaluate Ryan Gosling's performance as a "quiet actor" once again, praise the visual effects and applaud Chazelle's intention of grounding the story in humanity.

October’s highlight film, Venom, tells the story of the rise of Spider-man’s archenemies in his own stand-alone film. Admir and Chris discuss the film, noting how it fails to live up to the hype and relies heavily on Tom Hardy’s charm and charisma to carry the majority of the movie. The boys criticize a lackluster script, inconsistent pacing and lack of character development. What remains is Tom Hardy trying his utmost to deliver a watchable film through his interaction with the symbiote.

October’s highlight film, Venom, tells the story of the rise of Spider-man’s archenemies in his own stand-alone film. Admir and Chris discuss the film, noting how it fails to live up to the hype and relies heavily on Tom Hardy’s charm and charisma to carry the majority of the movie. The boys criticize a lackluster script, inconsistent pacing and lack of character development. What remains is Tom Hardy trying his utmost to deliver a watchable film through his interaction with the symbiote.

In "Hold the Dark" we find a writer invited to the frigid landscape of Alaska to hunt down a pack of wolves which are thought to be killing small children in the town. Admir and Chris discuss a film that serves as a great example of employing many interesting, but unfinished, ideas and thoughts. The hosts criticize a mediocre script that holds the actors back, explore how a lack of clear motivations early on in many of the characters hurt the film as a whole, but do praise the cinematography and location setting an eerie mood to the story.

In "Hold the Dark" we find a writer invited to the frigid landscape of Alaska to hunt down a pack of wolves which are thought to be killing small children in the town. Admir and Chris discuss a film that serves as a great example of employing many interesting, but unfinished, thoughts and ideas. The hosts criticize a mediocre script that holds the actors back, explore how a lack of clear motivations early on in many of the characters hurt the film as a whole, but do praise the cinematography and location for setting an eerie mood to the story.

A classic revenge thriller with an 80's horror influence, "Mandy" tells the story of Red Miller as he hunts down the religious cult that slaughters his girlfriend.   Admir and Chris discuss the off-the-wall horror/thriller that surprised them beyond belief. The boys talk about Panos Cosmatos' incredibly unique directing, revel in Nicholas Cage's return to his absurd best, appreciate the thumping and bone chilling soundtrack by the late Johann Johansson and posit how this film is more of an experience than anything else.

A classic revenge thriller with a 80s horror influence, "Mandy" tells the story of Red Miller as he hunts down the religious cult that kills his girlfriend.  Admir and Chris discuss this off-the-wall horror/thriller that surprised them beyond believe. The boys talk about Panos Cosmatos' incredibly unique directing, revel in Nicholas Cage's return to his absurd best, appreciate the thumping and bone chilling soundtrack by the late Johann Johansson and posit how this film is more of an experience than anything else.  

The "based on a true story" film of Richard "White Boy Ricky" Wershe Jr. that tells of his rise to drug kingpin in 80s Detroit and his eventual downfall at the hands of the FBI. Admir and Chris celebrate their 30th week of podcast marriage by discussing a film that, unfortunately, could not live up to its potential. Although Chris left the theater much more satisfied than his tag partner, the boys were in agreement that the film suffered from missed opportunities and its bare-bones approach to exploring themes. Nonetheless, a great cast anchored by Matthew Mcconaughey, helps to save the feature.