A Lost Plot

Maverick and Avalon review Viggo Mortenson’s “The Dead Don’t Hurt”. The conversation revolves around a review of the movie 'The Dead Don't Hurt' and delves into the characters, themes, and overall storytelling of the film. The hosts discuss the lack of clarity in character motives, the non-linear storytelling, and the absence of a clear overarching conflict or theme. They also explore the confusio...

The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film about the founding of Facebook. The movie takes creative liberties with the true story, but raises interesting questions about the importance of accuracy in storytelling. The main character, Mark Zuckerberg, is portrayed as a smart but arrogant individual who becomes obsessed with proving himself. The development of his character throug...

Maverick, Avalon, and Patrick discuss the 2019 film by the Egger brothers, and get into a deeply divided discussion on the merits of this movie, it’s meaning, and its contribution to film as a whole. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 "The Lighthouse" Introduction and Rating 10:41 Maverick's Movie Philosohy 14:52 Greek Mythology 19:28 Opening Scene 25:59 Main Character 28:44 The Villain or Obstacle 40:51...

Maverick and Philip discuss and review the 2023 release of “Wonka”. The conversation revolves around the movie 'Wonka' and the character of Willy Wonka. The hosts discuss their expectations of the film and their impressions of the main character, played by Timothy Chalamet. They explore the depth of the character and his motivations, noting that Chalamet's portrayal did not feel believable. They a...

The Fall Guy is an action comedy film that revolves around the main character, Colt Sievers, a former stuntman who gets pulled back into the industry to find a missing actor. The primary theme of the movie is the relationship between Colt and his ex-girlfriend, Jodie, and whether they will get back together. The movie explores the themes of honesty and facing one's fears. The side characters, such...

Maverick brings on the short film creator Chad Garrett to discuss and review one of Chad’s favorite films, Kingdom of Heaven. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 “Kingdom of Heaven” Introduction 15:00 Balian As A Flawed Character 26:08 Side Characters and Villains 34:42 Themes 44:38 The Villain 53:01 Enemies From All Sides 57:49 Revelations 1:04:16 Messages 1:11:16 Maverick's Favorite Scene 1:18:35 Satisf...

Maverick and Avalon discuss and review “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” (2024), by Guy Ritchie.  ---------- Highlights: 0:00 "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" Introduction and Rating 4:28 Opening Scene 8:46 Gus March Phillips: The Main Character 13:42 Side Characters 15:43 Is There Motive? 18:06 Heightened Tension 27:24 The Villain: Heinrich Luhr 31:56 Devoid of Themes 37:18 Churchill...

Maverick and Patrick discuss and review Guillermo Del Toro’s masterpiece “Pans Labyrinth”. Is Ofelia imagining everything, or is she experiencing the intersection of the fantasy realm with the real world? ---------- Highlights:  0:00 "Pans Labyrinth" Introduction 9:35 Opening Scene 13:55 Main Character: Ofelia 18:06 Side Characters 19:28 A Plot v. B Plot 30:46 The Villain: Vidal 37:59 Themes: Copi...

Maverick is joined by Andrew and Sean to discuss and review the Disney release of Star Wars episode 7: The Force Awakens. With Andrew taking a negative stance and Sean taking a positive one, they debate the merits and issues of the first attempt Disney takes in the Star Wars universe. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 "Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens" Introduction 4:57 Opening Scene 11:03 Main Characte...

Maverick and Andrew discuss, debate, and review Star Wars episode 3: Revenge of the Sith.  ---------- Highlights: 0:00 “Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith” Introduction 4:09 Opening Scene 5:34 Main Character 18:41 Side Characters: Obi Wan 26:44 Side Characters: Padme 36:33 Side Characters: Yoda 41:20 Motivations and Villains 48:53 Themes 52:51 Heightened Tension 53:59 Darth Plagueis The Wise 57:31...

Maverick and Avalon review Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. While Phoebe Spengler figures out what it’s like to have teenager drama, a ghost from ages past decides to be a lame stock villain. Funny fire guy though.  ---------- Highlights: 0:00 “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” Introduction 4:27 Opening Scene 8:16 Main Character: Phoebe Spengler 13:45 Side Characters 20:38 Setting 24:38 Compelling Motive 2...

Maverick and Avalon review One Life. A story of Nicholas Winton saving refugees from the coming Nazi invasion before World War II. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 “One Life” Introduction 6:04 Opening Scene 10:29 Nicholas Winton 13:26 Side Characters 18:04 Setting 24:24 Beautiful Example of "Show Don't Tell" 27:43 The Nazis 29:08 Themes 31:23 Heightened Tension 41:09 Revelations and Endings 46:19 Trans...

Maverick and Philip continue to discuss the Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, and what made it stand out compared to other movies. Part 2 of a 2-part review. Find the first part here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-03-06T18_00_00-08_00 ---------- Highlights: 0:59 Stakes and Villains 11:03 Ideals 25:12 Biggest Problem With the Movies 30:07 Heightened Tension...

Maverick is joined by Philip to review the last of the series of the Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King. Taking a counter-stance, Philip argues passionately for the beauty of the books, and the failures of the movie, while Maverick defends the honor of Peter Jackson’s work. Part 1 of a two part discussion. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" Introduction...

Maverick and Avalon discuss and review Dune, Part 2. They discuss Paul Atreides rise to power, and his rejection of the mantel of the Lisan Al Gaib (or the Kwisatz Haderach). They also discuss the Harkonnens, Feyd Rautha, and other notable characters such as Shaddam IV. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 "Dune, Part 2" Introduction 8:55 Opening Scene 16:53 Side Characters and Ideals 22:53 Villains and Ob...

Maverick and Avalon discuss and review the recent release of Madame Web, and explain why Madame Web is a bad movie, not worth watching. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 “Madame Web” Introduction 3:59 Opening Scene 7:59 Compelling Main Character? 11:52 Side Characters 18:16 Setting 21:35 Motive 26:54 Ezekiel, The Villain 32:37 With Great Power Comes... Family? 36:10 Killing the Tension 38:41 Revelations...

Maverick and Andrew discuss the second of the prequel trilogy for George Lucas’s Star Wars universe.  ---------- Highlights: 0:00 "Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones" Introduction 4:43 Opening Scene 9:13 Diverging Storylines 15:13 Plotting Toward The Original Trilogy 23:24 Obstacles and Risk 26:49 The Best and Worst 33:42 Anakin's Motivations 35:00 The Villain 43:30 Tension, Revelations, and Surpr...

Maverick and Avalon review and discuss the 1984 classic “Ghostbusters”. They also have a lengthy discussion on the rating system, updates to the rating system, and cult classics. ---------- Highlights: 0:00 “Ghostbusters” Introduction 2:59 The Rating System 10:26 Opening Scene 19:18 Side Characters 22:49 Motive 25:03 The Villain 30:26 Themes and Suffering 34:04 Revelation and Transformation 40:02...

Maverick is joined by Patrick and Avalon to discuss the fundamentals of what makes a good movie. Despite Patrick’s best efforts, they manage to stay on track and discuss villains thoroughly. ————— Highlights: 0:00 Movies Worth Watching: Villains Introduction 3:28 Villains Opposed to the Hero 12:42 Righteous Antagonists 21:16 Anton Chigurh and a Villains Motive 30:21 Hannibal Lecter 34:27 The Joker...

Maverick and Avalon discuss and review the recent release of the ISS movie.  ————— Highlights: 0:00 "ISS" Introduction 5:26 Opening Scene 8:47 Main Character 12:21 Side Characters 16:34 Villains and Obstacles 25:27 Ideals and Motives 30:20 Heroes With Nothing to Lose 34:04 Heightened Tension 44:25 Revelations 50:02 Final Scene 58:15 Transformation 1:00:28 Satisfaction! ————— Show Notes: The 9 Poin...

Maverick and Patrick discuss and review John Carpenter’s classic “The Thing” from 1982. ————— Highlights 0:00 "The Thing" Introduction 2:04 Summary, Box Office, and the Horror Genre 20:16 Opening Scene 23:55 Mac, the Main Character 28:32 Side Characters 37:51 Setting 40:51 Entering the Fray 43:08 Heightened Tension 49:27 A Discussion on Horror 55:22 Revelations 1:03:07 The Final Scene 1:10:00 Char...

In this episode, Maverick is rejoined by Philip Dudt from the White City Podcast as they review and explore the classic release by Peter Jackson, of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”.  ————— Podcast Highlights: 0:00 "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" Introduction and Rating 5:24 Opening Scene 10:36 Main Character Development 21:29 Aragorn's Destiny and Despair 29:01 Side Characters 38:26...

Maverick and Andrew discuss and review the 2000 release of Gladiator, by Ridley Scott and David Franzoni.  ————— Episode Highlights 0:00 "Gladiator" Introduction and Rating 5:49 Opening Scene 7:26 What Maximus Stands For 20:28 Marcus Aurelius 24:49 The Brutality of Rome 33:27 What's At Risk? 41:15 Themes 45:34 Symbolism in Lucius 50:37 Commodus 56:50 Heightened Tension 1:01:44 Revelations 1:07:45...

Maverick and Avalon discuss and review the new biographical race thriller "Ferrari" directed by Michael Mann and starring Adam Driver. With very different ratings, they debate the values presented in this movie and if there was any opportunities to improve this dramatic film. ————— Highlights 0:00 "Ferrari" Introduction and Rating 7:04 The Opening Scene 9:16 Ferrari v. Napoleon 17:01 Must the Oppo...

Maverick and Andrew discuss and review the classic release of George Lucas's Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Their discussion includes topics surrounding the main characters, if the plot of the movie is compelling, and if The Phantom Menace is worth watching. ————— 0:00 "Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace" Introduction and Rating 4:36 Opening Scene 7:09 Main Character's Flaws 15:07 Anakin an...