The Movie Crew

Episode 380: The Crew’s wondering how much an 86 or 84 carat diamond costs today while watching Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. Ritchie’s second feature after Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels has a couple of Hollywood stars and a much bigger budget; although the tone and story are similar. Snatch was a modest hit when it came out, but its impact and influence on film was much bigger. The Crew disc...

Episode 379: The Crew’s displaying true self control by not doing a Mid-Western accent the entire podcast while reviewing the Coen Brothers’ Fargo. This grim-fun crime film purports to be a true story, which it isn’t, but nothing here is out of the realm of believability. The Crew discusses one of the Coen’s best films. If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazi...

Episode 378: The Crew’s wondering how much Russians make an hour in 2024 while watching the Coen Brother’s Blood Simple. The Brother’s first film includes most of their famous hallmarks, especially moments they would go on to use in Fargo and No Country for Old Men. It’s a fun, easy watch with a strong ending. The Crew discusses. If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and...

Episode 377: The Crew’s floating to the sky with joy while watching Paul King’s Wonka. A prequel to Willy Wonka no one asked for, but nevertheless, we got it. And this family friendly musical does deliver the joy and heartfelt moments. The music, production design, and cinematography are top-notch. The Crew discusses. If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing...

Episode 376: The Crew’s wondering what the Candyman can’t do while watching Mel Stuart’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This family friendly musical was barely a success at the box office, but thanks to tv airings and VHS, Wonka finally found his audience. But does this beloved classic hold up… the Crew discusses. If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more ama...

Episode 375: The Crew’s wondering why a celery-cutting machine is in a cookie factory while watching Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands. Burton got to make this personal story/fairy tale after the enormous success of Batman. And this is the first of many collaborations between Burton and Johnny Depp. Danny Elfman’s score is wonderful and Bo Welch’s production design brilliantly switches...

Episode 374: The Crew’s digging into frog guts for a magical key while watching Guillermo del Toro’s, Pan’s Labyrinth. This Mexican production was an international hit and won 3 Oscars. Guillermo’s in full control and all of his previous work coalesces into this dark fairy tale. The film really is a masterpiece of the fantasy genre. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over...

Episode 373: The Crew’s not joining the Wheelers any time soon after watching Walter Murch’s Return to Oz. Famed editor Walter Murch directs this unofficial sequel to The Wizard of Oz. After bombing at the box-office this film did gain a cult following, and a reputation of scaring little kids. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing musi...

Episode 372: The Crew’s realizing that Anjelica Huston doesn’t get paid enough for her signature eyebrow lift while watching Andy Tennant’s Ever After. This Cinderella adaptation is more modern than most, and even features some historical figures. The cast is amazing, and the production design and cinematography have a wonderful old school Hollywood feel. But some of the writing toward the e...

Episode 371: The Crew’s looking for Renny Harlin’s number after watching David Gordan Green’s The Exorcist: Believer. Universal Studios bought the Exorcist rights for $400 million so director Green could make a legacy sequel trilogy. But the installment is super tame, and some of the Crew would say boring… they discuss. If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazi...

Episode 370: The Crew’s watching the same prequels told two different ways. The first shot Exorcist prequel, Paul Schrader’s Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist, was shelved and Morgan Creek Entertainment hired a new director, Renny Harlin. Harlin’s film was completed in 10 months and released to theaters as Exorcist: The Beginning. The Crew discusses both versions. If you like our music intro...

Episode 369: The Crew’s playing with oversized shears while watching William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist III. After Blatty wrote and produced the original film, he decided to direct this sequel, which is an adaptation of his novel, Legion. George C. Scott takes over the Kinderman role from Lee J. Cobb. And Jason Miller returns as Father Karras. The Crew discusses. If you like our music intro...

Episode 368: The Crew’s riding on the wings of some demonic locusts while watching John Boorman’s The Exorcist II: The Heretic. The first Exorcist sequel ditches the horror and adds fantasy and sci-fi elements. ESP, shared dreams, metaphorical evil locusts, Regan’s new chosen one role, and a Poltergeist style ending do add something new, but most of it makes no sense to the audience. And the...

Episode 367: The Crew’s cleaning up Andersen Pea Soup after watching William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. This horror masterpiece, sometimes dubbed the scariest movie of all time, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Are the scares still effective… the Crew discusses. If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing music from aquariusweapon. Aquariusweapon can also be...

Episode 366: The Crew’s sitting directly in front of the TV (some would say “symmetrically so”) while watching Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. This fast paced funny film is also Wes Anderson’s highest grossing. With an impressive star-studded cast, whimsical music, and eye-popping colorful production design… Anderson packs so much story and character into a 90 some minute runtime. T...

Episode 365: The Crew’s getting out their yellow sticky notes while watching David Fincher’s Gone Girl. Fincher’s last studio film (the following two were distributed by Netflix) is also his highest grossing film to date. Ben Affleck and Rosamond Pike are perfectly casted, with Tyler Perry and Kim Dickens killing their supporting roles. Spoiler Warning! Watch the film and enjoy the mystery,...

Episode 364: The Crew’s readying themselves for their Close-ups while watching Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard. This classic film about Hollywood is still relevant, all the themes and ideas are still present and discussed today. Everything’s great, but this script stands out as nothing but perfection. Every other line is quotable! The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to...

Episode 363: The Crew’s staring at so many beautiful people while watching Stephen Sommers’ The Mummy. This surprise summer hit started a modern Mummy franchise and is the only successful Universal Classic Monster remake or reimagining. Director Sommers minimizes the horror and ups the adventure and comedy. ILM’s visual effects are incredible for the time of release. The Crew discusses… If y...

Episode 362: The Crew’s entering the suck zone while watching Jan de Bont’s Twister. Director de Bont capitalized on the successful Speed with this effects driven summer blockbuster. And these tornado effects were impressive in 1996. The supporting cast keeps the film interesting when the titular twisters aren’t on screen. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcl...

Episode 361: The Crew’s noticing all the tape on the gadget while watching Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. This hit biopic breezes by at an incredible 3 hour runtime (even if half of us disagree). The photography, production design, score, acting, direction, and everything else are top notch impressive. Spoiler Warnings – so go see the film on a 70mm IMAX and then listen to this episo...

Episode 360: The Crew’s watching Greta Gerwig’s Barbie in their Mojo Dojo Casa House! This box office juggernaut, based on a toy, is surprisingly great and has something to say. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are fabulous as Stereotypical Barbie and Beach Ken! The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing music from aquariusweapon. Aquariuswea...

Episode 359: The Crew’s wishing they could get a free apartment in Paris while watching Sydney Pollack’s Sabrina. This remake of Billy Wilder’s film is updated for the 90’s but much of the plot stays intact. Julia Ormond steals the film as the titular character. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear more amazing music from aquariusweapon. Aquariusw...

Episode 358: The Crew’s struggling with all the CGI in James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Spielberg and Lucas are only producing this outing, and you can feel it. The magic is missing. Everything looks fake and cheap. The artifact/MacGuffin feels great, and fits into the franchise nicely. The Crew discusses… If you like our music intro, head over to Soundcloud and hear mo...

Episode 357: The Crew’s trying on a $6,000 dress while watching Mike Nichols’ Working Girl. Melanie Griffith is excellent in a star-making performance as the titular Working Girl. This 80’s box-office hit works well as a rom-com and a drama, with Griffith’s character climbing the Wall Street ladder to success. And it’s another example of Mike Nichols brilliant direction. The Crew discusses…...

Episode 356: The Crew’s searching every kind of house while watching Andrew Davis’ The Fugitive. This big screen adaptation of the 60’s tv show was a surprise box office hit in 1993. The film was nominated for Best Picture and Tommy Lee Jones won a Supporting Actor Oscar. Everything is pretty perfect in this film, but the editing really stands out. All the montages, cutting between Ford and...