The Movie Crew

Episode 455: The Crew’s wearing their tightest purple outfits while watching Simon Wincer’s The Phantom. This comic strip character’s film career was cut short by truly terrible box-office numbers, and some bad reviews. Which is a shame cause the film looks incredible and the cast is more than game. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more...

Episode 454: The Crew’s doing their best maniacal laugh while watching Russell Mulcahy’s The Shadow. This masked vigilante character started on the radio instead of comic books, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t cinematic. The sets and costumes look fantastic, really embracing style over substance. It’s too bad it bombed at the box office killing the franchise before it starte...

Episode 453: The Crew’s taking flight with snazzy jetpacks while watching Joe Johnston’s The Rocketeer. This 90’s superhero soars on the big screen thanks to some wonderful performances, truly great effects (that still look great today), and a lovingly recreated 1930s that’s a feast for the eyes. Its a real shame this film didn’t start the trilogy the filmmakers wanted. The...

Episode 452: The Crew’s wearing their best yellow hat and coat while watching Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy. This comic strip adaptation is the very definition of over the top, especially from Al Pacino. The photography and production design are stylized gold, but unfortunately the main star and his leading lady (Warren Beatty and Madonna) are the weakest parts and take up so much screen time....

Episode 451: The Crew’s out of town working this week, so Brian and his wife review some film adaptations/reimagining/remakes of old video games and cartoons. Mortal Kombat II is definitely the best of the franchise and its nice to see a fighting tournament film return to the big screen. Masters of the Universe is way better than the original 80’s film, but we did feel the runtime. The Crew...

Episode 450: The Crew’s feeling the anxiety of unjust accusations while watching Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory. This anti-war film will give you second thoughts about joining any military. The tension is ever present, even after the genre switches from war film to courtroom drama. It’s Kubrick’s fourth film but his first real masterpiece. The Crew discusses… If you like our mu...

Episode 449: The Crew’s shaving their heads while watching Ridley Scott’s G.I. Jane. This 90’s film was unfairly judged when it came out, winning a Razzie for Demi Moore. But Demi delivers a tough and fun performance, and Ridley surrounds her with his expertly crafted shots and a supporting cast that’s game. This film needs to be rediscovered by film buffs. The Crew discusses… If...

Episode 448: The Crew’s feeling the red light claustrophobia while watching Tony Scott’s Crimson Tide. This 1995 sub film has a wonderful all male cast, but Washington and Hackman steal the show as the disagreeing Captain and XO. There are plenty of sub cliches and wonderful action scenes, but the highlights are the characters weighing the pros and cons of launching a nuke without all the in...

Episode 447: The Crew’s lost in the Gosling rizz while watching Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s Project Hail Mary. This perfectly casted film pulls on the heartstrings with a faceless alien friendship. No giant E.T. eyes here. And with a runtime over 2 hours, the pace never slows. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing music from aquariusw...

Episode 446: The Crew’s seeing double while watching Duncan Jones’ Moon. Duncan Jones exploded into the indie filmmaking scene with one of the best directorial debuts. The low budget (5 million) is hardly noticeable, the camera setups and pace show the passion of a younger filmmaker but with the sure-footedness of an experienced one. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to So...

Episode 445: The Crew’s lack of oxygen may have something to do with forgetting to breathe while watching Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity. This 2013 box office hit was one of a few 3D movies that audiences ate up. The 3D really added to the story and the suspense. And this film is suspenseful, living up to the clichéd phrase “it’s a rollercoaster ride”. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, he...

Episode 444: The Crew’s shocked by all the talent in front of, and behind the camera, while watching Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr Ripley. This 1999 thriller is a complex character study of the titular Mr Ripley, who wants to be a “fake somebody”. The film is perfectly cast, and the impressive crew is at the top of their game. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Sou...

Episode 443: The Crew’s surprisingly divided on Rob Reiner’s Misery. This Stephen King adaptation is often cited as one of the best, but some of the Crew question the creative decisions. They like the lens choices but not the lighting. If you love the film or hate it, this episode has something for you. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing...

Episode 442: The Crew’s gonna need to watch an episode of Dawson’s Creek after watching Roger Avary’s The Rules of Attraction. This anti teen-comedy is super bleak with mostly unlikable characters, but Avary packs this low budget film with every visual trick in the book, from split screen to reversing the footage. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear mo...

Episode 441: The Crew’s wearing their hand-knit onesies while watching Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia. This Oscar nominated remake is a masterclass in delivering tone. It’s equal parts funny and terrifying without ever losing the truth in the scene or for the characters. It’s a movie that demands a second viewing. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more am...

Episode 440: The Crew’s wondering if the Christmas Adventurers Club only eats fruitcake while watching Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. This widely acclaimed film has the most Oscar nominations of any film after Sinners (which has the most nominations of any film in the academy’s history). The actors shine, but the film’s length and tone do hold it back from greatness. The Crew dis...

Episode 439: The Crew’s joined by guest, Nick Roth to discuss Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night (yes, the whole night). The film’s concept of all the problems that occurred 90 minutes before the first episode of Saturday Night Live is a great idea. And the cast is impressive and game. But the film is surprisingly low on humor. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud a...

Episode 438: The Crew’s covering their mirrors while watching Michael Chaves’ The Conjuring: Last Rites. The supposedly last Conjuring film has become the highest grossing entry of the series, more than doubling the gross of the previous top earner. And this finale may be the best written. All the characters have arcs and the Warrens are actually connected to the ghost story. The Crew discusses… I...

Episode 437: The Crew’s back in the habit while watching Michael Chaves’ The Nun II. This installment in The Conjuring series takes forever to get going and deliver the scares. Everything happens in the last 40 minutes, where we get cool goat demons, and a surprising back story for Sister Irene. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing music fr...

Episode 436: The Crew’s wondering if all waterbeds come with demons while watching Michael Chaves’ The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. This third installment (eighth if you count all the spinoffs) changes things up a bit. The haunted house vibe is gone and replaced with a police procedural. And maybe that diminishes the scares, but the tension is still here and the story feels fresh. The Crew...

Episode 435: The Crew’s wondering when they’re gonna get a Ferryman spinoff film, while watching Gary Dauberman’s Annabelle Comes Home. This third Annabelle film has so many ghosts, demons, and cursed objects that the backstories and rules get confusing or not explained. But who cares, cause the scares are a plenty, and if one ghost doesn’t work for you, the next will. The Crew discusses… If...

Episode 434: The Crew’s confused on what counts as being part of “the Conjuring universe” while watching Michael Chaves’ The Curse of La Llorona. The Warrens are completely absent, but the Annabelle doll and the priest from the first Annabelle film are present… so it counts here. And the franchise should welcome this film, it’s a fast paced ghost/monster movie with some great acting. The Crew disc...

Episode 433: The Crew’s hanging with nuns (out a window at the end of a noose) while watching Corin Hardy’s The Nun. This installment in The Conjuring franchise ditches the American haunted house in favor of a creepy gothic church. It’s a welcomed change that adds new visuals and characters. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing music from a...

Episode 432: The Crew’s giving demons permission to move into their dolls… for a second time, while watching David Sandberg’s Annabelle: Creation. This film is a prequel to a prequel that was a spinoff to the first Conjuring film. What could have been a soulless cash grab is invigorated by Sandberg’s fresh jump scares and energetic direction. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head o...

Episode 431: The Crew’s trying to figure out what the deal is with the Crooked Man (is it another demon, the same demon as the nun, a spirit, or an urban legend come to life) while watching James Wan’s The Conjuring 2. This is the second Warren film, and while none of the scares are as good as the clap game, the script and story are huge improvements over the first film. The Crew discusses… If you...